THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS ON THE KING's COMMISSIONS of the PEACE, OYER and TERMINER, and GOAL DELIVERY FOR THE CITY of LONDON; And also the GOAL DELIVERY FOR THE COUNTY of MIDDLESEX, HELD AT JUSTICE-HALL in the OLD-BAILEY, On Wednesday the 9th, Thursday the 10th, Friday the 11th, and Saturday the 12th, of APRIL, 1766.

In the Sixth Year of His MAJESTY's Reign. Being the Fourth SESSIONS in the MAYORALTY of THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE NELSON , Esq; LORD-MAYOR of the CITY of LONDON.

THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS ON THE King's Commissions of the Peace, Oyer and Terminer, and Goal Delivery held for the City of LONDON, &c.

Before the Right Honourable GEORGE NELSON , Esq; Lord-Mayor of the City of London; the Honourable Sir SYDNEY STAFFORD SMYTHE , Knt. one of the Barons of his Majesty's Court of Exchequer *; JAMES EYRE , Esq; Recorder ++; and others of his Majesty's Justices of Oyer and Terminer for the said City and County.

N. B. The characters * ++ direct to the judge by whom the prisoner was tried; also (L.) (M.) by what jury.

LONDON JURY.

John Harrison ,

Thomas Cross ,

Edward Priddle ,

Thomas Pearson ,

William Plumley ,

John Kidman ,

James Hammon ,

Samuel Merrick ,

Nathan Torrington ,

Thomas Wakrell ,

Isaac Munt ,

Joshua Tinsdel .

MIDDLESEX JURY.

George Norris ,

Thomas Kinnard ,

John Green ,

Michael Deffield ,

Geo Whittingham ,

William Serjeson ,

Richard Davis ,

John Mann ,

Nathaniel Betts ,

David Davis ,

William Shaw ,

John Hawkins *.

* John Hawkins being hard of hearing, David Deacon was sworn, after the first trial, in his room.

John Woodbridge . In the night between the 3d and 4th of March, one of the houses in the buildings of Edward Gibbs , in Bevis Marks, in the parish of Aldgate , was broke open, and 10 pair of iron hinges for window-shutters were taken away from out of a one pair of stairs room; they were houses sitting up. On the 4th I saw a boy going by with a pair of iron hinges in his hand, I asked him where he had them; he told me he would shew me the person he bought them of; he shewed me the prisoner, and as other buildings were broke open that night in Houndsditch, we thought proper to secure him. We examined him about the hinges, he acknowledged he had taken them.

Q. What were the words he made use of?

Woodbridge. He said he got in, and went up into the two pair of stairs room and took a chissel, and came down to the one pair of stairs room, and drawed the staple of a padlock and opened the door, and went in and took 10 pair of hinges from off a shelf, and his little brother and another boy were with him at the time. We asked him what he had done with them; he said he would produce some of them to me the next day, which he said he had sold to a person. We went with him to a baker in Gravel-lane; there the baker's brother produced to us three pair, which the prisoner acknowledged to be three of the same he took from the buildings. They have no particular marks on them, so as to know them from others, but they are of the same sort, and like them we missed; and though I do not chuse to swear to them, I believe them to be the same.

Woodbridge. They were, and the padlock was wrenched off as the prisoner mentioned. The prisoner said the two boys went away with the other hinges. The boy that shewed me the first pair, gave me the slip in an alley.

Thomas Bentham . I heard the prisoner confess that he broke Mr. Gibbs's house, and went up stairs and got a door open and took away the 10 pair of hinges, the same as Mr. Woodbridge has mentioned.

Prisoner's defence.

I know nothing at all about the things; I am a very hard working boy.

Acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-2

203. (M.) Joseph Stevens was indicted for stealing 4 linen shirts, value 2 s. 3 pair of silk stockings, value 3 s. 3 pair of thread stockings, one yard of gold lace, 3 linen handkerchiefs, and 10 guineas, the property of Thomas Creswell ; 3 pair of cotton stockings, a silk handkerchief, a linen ditto, a breast buckle, a hand-whip, 4 pieces of silver coin, value 6 d. and 11 guineas, the property of Thomas Webb ; one leather portmanteau and a pair of pistols, the property of the Right Hon. the Earl of Dartmouth , in the dwelling-house of the said Earl , March 7 . ++

Thomas Creswell . I am a footman to the Earl of Dartmouth, the prisoner was also one of his Lordship's footmen; the things mentioned in the indictment and prisoner were missing on the morning of the 7th of March, and also one of our horses and a pair of pistols. My things were taken from out of the servants-hall, my box was broke open in which they were. We went directly to Sir John Fielding and gave an account of the things, and described the prisoner. Sir John sent people out, and the prisoner was taken at Harwich, and brought up and examined before Sir John. I was present, and heard him confess that he had taken the things mentioned; the things found upon him were brought up with him and produced there. (The portmanteau; pistols, shirts, stockings, and handkerchiefs produced in court. This portmanteau and pistols are the property of the Earl of Dartmouth. He takes up the shirts, handkerchiefs and stockings, and deposed to them as his property, which were missing at the time mentioned.)

Thomas Webb . I am under butler to the Earl of Dartmouth: I lost 11 guineas, 3 pair of cotton stockings, 2 handkerchiefs, a breast buckle, a hand-whip, and 4 pieces of silver coin, one of them a Queen Elizabeth's shilling, and 40 shillings in silver, from out of my box in the servants-hall, which I found broke open, at the time Mr. Creswell's things were missing. I was present at Sir John Fielding 's when the prisoner was examined, there were 2 handkerchiefs and the hand-whip produced there my property. I heard the prisoner there confess he had taken the things.

William Sprigins . I am a waiter at the Artichoke at Blackwall: I was going to fetch a horse from beyond Rumford; I overtook the prisoner between the 10 and 11 mile stones betwixt 10 and 11 o'clock. I did not take an account of the day of the month, it was on a Friday about a month ago; he was bargaining with a man that had a cart to carry his portmanteau, and after he had delivered it he overtook me, he was on horseback; he asked me if I had seen the Harwich fly, saying he should be glad to get there to night, for he had got his uncle's horse that kept the, Vine inn in Vine-street, Piccadilly, and if he could get in the fly he would send the horse back. We went on to the White-hart at Rumford, there we were told the fly went by at 7 in the morning; we went to another inn, and he asked for a machine; it wanted then 5 minutes of 11 o'clock, he could get no carriage. We agreed to ride on; he said if I would go with him to Brentwood he would take a post-chaise, and he would satisfy me if I would bring the horse to his uncle. We went there to the White-hart; he ordered a post-chaise, and called for a bottle of port and something to eat, and a barber to dress his hair; after he had paid for the chaise he turned out some pieces of silver coin, and said they were of no service to him, and said I was welcome to them. (Four pieces produced, one of them a Queen Elizabeth's shilling, and deposed to by Webb as his property.) He got into the chaise, and ordered to be drove to Chelmsford, and gave me half a guinea to bring the horse to Piccadilly. When I came there to the Vine, the landlord asked me where the man was that I brought him from; I said I believed he was at Harwich. He told me that man had robbed the Earl of Dartmouth, and that it was the Earl's horse. I then went with him and the horse to the Earl's house.

John Adams . Upon this information I was sent by Sir John Fielding to Harwich after the prisoner; an express had been sent down, which got there before me, and I found him in custody. I asked the prisoner where his fellow servants things were: he said Mr. Bennet the constable had them. There I found them; I understood they had been produced before the Mayor; I brought him and the things to town, and he was examined before Sir John Fielding ; there the things were opened, and Mr. Creswell and Webb swore to their

John Irvior . I and Adam Fulner went in at the Chequers at Charing-cross , on the 26th of February, about ten at night; the prisoner was there, and we agreed to go into a private room; there we had our fun for a little bit: she said I had better put my watch into my waistcoat pocket, which I did: when the hurry was over, she went out of the house, and I missed my watch. Fulner went out, and soon brought her back.

Q. What are you?

Irvior. I am an organ-builder , and live in Little Wyld street.

Adam Fulner . I was in company with the prosecutor (I am an organ-builder:) after the prisoner pushed out of the room, Irvior said he had lost his watch; I followed her, and took her in Scotland-yard, and met with a constable, and we took her to St. Martin's Round-house: she swore all the way she went along; she was not searched. When before the Justice, she said if she had the watch, it was not the first by fifty. She owned gave the watch to one Daniel Morgan , a soldier, to go and sell it for her; he is bound over to give evidence, but I have not seen him; and one John Saltmarsh , another soldier, was likewise bound over, but he is not here.

They were both called, but did not appear; their recognizance was ordered to be estreated.

Peter Weskett . I am servant to 'squire Upton : my box, in which were the things mentioned, was broke open at my brother's, at the Crown in Eagle-street , and the things mentioned in the indictment were taken away; the prisoner lodged there: he was charged with taking them; and I heard him confess he did take them at sundry times, and pledged them to several pawnbrokers, and where they lived. I found the punch-ladle at Mr. Jervis's, in Fetter-lane; the knives and forks at Mr. Davidson's; the hat and dollars at Mr. Monk's; the buttons at Mr. Smith's, a silversmith: the prisoner had sold them to him.

Mr. Davidson, Mr. Jervis, Robert Needham , servant to Mr. Monk, and Mr. Smith, produced the goods, and confirmed the evidence given by the prosecutor. (The things deposed to by the prosecutor.) The prisoner in his defence said, A man came out of the house of Robert Weskett , the Crown in Eagle-street, and delivered the things to him, and desired him to dispose of them for him, and that he made him a present of the hat for his trouble.

Acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-6

207. (L.) James Cotterill was indicted for stealing an iron hoop, value 6 d. the property of William Seymour , March 18 . *

William Seymour . I live in Aldersgate-street , and am a cooper ; the prisoner worked for me: I was constantly losing iron. My boy told me he saw the prisoner put an iron hoop, which he had doubled up, into his breeches; I let him go away, and followed him, and charged him with it, and took it out of his breeches (produced in court doubled up.)

Prisoner's defence.

I acknowledge I took it, in order to make the bottom bars to a grate, that I had at home.

Guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-7

208. (M.) Charles Fenley was indicted for stealing a gold watch, value 8 l. and a cornelian seal set in gold, value 20 s. the property of William Gouge , Esq ; privately from his person , April 2 . ++

William Gouge . On Wednesday se'nnight, coming out of Drury-lane-playhouse , I was going to look for a chair; the prisoner and another man pushed me back into the croud, one on one side, the other on the other; I felt a pulling at my sword; I turned about to save that, and immediately felt my watch go; and I have great reason to suspect he was one that took my watch.

John Gilder . I live at the corner of Middle-row, St. Giles's, and am a watchmaker; I was coming from the play the same evening; there was a stop in the passage; I looked and saw a watch lie on the ground; I picked it up; the case was separated;

I put the watch in my left coat pocket, and the case in the other: the prisoner came and said, D - n you, you have picked up something; he took hold, of my right arm, and another on my other, and forced me into Bridges-street, I said I had picked up something, and desired them to let me go; I felt a hand in my right hand pocket, and the case was gone: then they left me. My sister knew him by his frequently passing by the door; and my father took him up the next day, and brought him to our house. We took him before Justice Welch, and charged him with assaulting me, and taking the case out of my pocket. He did admit he had the case from me.

Judith Gilder . I was with my brother at the play, the 2d of April; there was a stoppage in the passage: I saw the watch and case lying; my brother took them up, and put one in one pocket, and the other in the other; the prisoner d - d him, and said he had picked up something, and laid hold of him. My brother said if he had, he thought it did not belong to him. Then the prisoner and another man dragged him into the street, and they took the case from him. I had seen the prisoner pass by, so I knew him; by which means he was taken up.

John Gilder . The case was sent to Justice Welch's, after he was committed.

Q. to Judith Gilder . Did not the prisoner claim a part of what was found?

Gilder. No, he did not.

Mr. Gilder, sen. My son and daughter came home, and said they had picked up a watch, and how two men had collared him, and taken the case: my daughter said she knew the man. We described the prisoner to a neighbour; he said he'd be hanged if it was not Charles Fenley. He soon came by; the neighbour called and shewed me him. I stept to him, and said I wanted to speak to him: Was not you at Drury-lane playhouse last night? No, said he. Did not you take a watch-case out of a man's pocket? God forbid, said he, and denied it. I called my son down; he denied it to him. Then we got a constable; then he owned he did take it, and thought he had as much right to the watch as he, as he saw it on the ground, but could not get at it. The prisoner was committed, on suspicion for taking the case out of my son's pocket, and picking a gentleman's pocket of a gold watch. The watch was advertised by the prosecutor: then I and my son went and carried the watch; we found the case at Mr. Welch's, the Tuesday after: Fenley owned he had sent it by an attorney.

Prisoner's defence.

I was coming out of the playhouse: I kicked something with my foot; the gentleman stooped, I said, You have got something not your property: I believe, as he had his hand in his pocket, I did shake the it out of his hand: I knew it was not his own, because he said, Gentlemen, I have picked up a watch, and I shall have it forced from me.

To his character.

Samuel Smith . I have known the prisoner ten year; he a turner; he is very honest as far as I know. I am a plaisterer by trade.

John Hall . I am a shoemaker in Gray's inn-lane; I have known him eight years; he is a very honest man, as far as I know: I heard he had money left him about a year and half ago; then he left off business.

Robert Lee . I have known him several years; I never heard any ill of him. Guilty of stealing, but not privately from his person.

Guilty T .

See him tried by the name of C. Fendall, No. 349. in Sir Charles Asgill's Mayorality.

George Letherland . I am a sawyer : I lost a cloth coat from Mr Territ's yard in Black-friars , where I was at work, four weeks ago last Monday. I saw the prisoner go out of the yard; missing my coat, I found it upon him, under his coat, below his left arm.

Thomas Edwards . I saw the prisoner seized by the prosecutor, and saw him take the coat from under the prisoner's coat.

Prisoner's defence.

I know nothing of the affair.

Guilty 10 d . W .

Reference Number: t17660409-9

210. (L.) James Cook was indicted for stealing a silk handkerchief, value 10 d. the property of John Righton , February 25 . ++

John Righton . I was going down Newgate-street , between St. Martin's-le-grand and Butcher-hall lane, going towards Newgate; I felt a hand in my pocket, and touched the prisoner's hand; it was out of my pocket, with my handkerchief three parts out. I took him by the collar, and asked him what he was about. He said, going home to his father in Goswell-street. As we were talking, a constable came by with two pickpockets; he asked what was the matter; I told him; he desired I would deliver him to him, which I did; he was taken before my Lord-Mayor, and he committed him.

William Leicester . I am a warehouse-keeper at the East India-house; the things are the property of my father, in Rose-court, Aldermanbury : the prisoner was his servant : I heard her confess before the Alderman she sold the shirts for twelve shillings.

Anne Hunt . I am the prosecutor's daughter; I know the things are my father's and his children's property: the prisoner went out on the 11th of February, and the things were missing.

Robert Role (produced the silk cloak, two bed gowns, and three aprons;) these I took out of a bundle of the prisoner's, in the Swan and Two Necks yard; I took her in the yard, on the 19th of February; she had been advertised.

Guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-11

212. (L.) John Freeman was indicted for stealing 24 pounds weight of wheaten flour, value 2 s. the property of Thomas Wakefield and William George , April 5 . ++

William George . I am in partnership with Thomas Wakefield ; we are loaders at Queenhithe ; we take in and deliver out goods; we watch every other night. I was watching on the 5th of April; I saw the prisoner come over into the wharf, between 8 and 9 o'clock; he cut open the mouth of a sack, and took out some flour: when he got about half way out, I went and took hold of him. He had 26 pounds weight of flour in a bag; it was the property of Mr. Boys in the country, but we are answerable if any is lost.

Prisoner's defence.

I wish I had it now to make a dumplin of; I got it for that use; I had had no victuals for two or three days.

Guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-12

213. (L.) John Magennis was indicted for stealing 23 pounds weight of tobacco , the property of persons unknown, April 8 . ++

Edward Thornton . I am King's weigher, and attend the keys; I saw the prisoner yesterday at Battle-wharf , about half an hour after 4 o'clock, take the tobacco from the scale, and run away with it. I pursued him into Thames-street; he threw it away, and a cart stopt him, and I took and secured him: I did not know him before. (Produced in court, 23 pounds of it.)

John Jebb . I was attending the scale; I saw the prisoner with the tobacco under his arm; he ran as hard as he could with it; he dropt it, and was taken.

Prisoner's defence.

A person desired me to carry it to the Crown in Darkhouse lane, and I was to have 6 d. for my trouble.

He called Isaac Bryan , a fellowship porter, who gave him a good character.

Guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-13

214. (L.) William Burridge was indicted, for that he, together with four other persons unknown, on Constantine Varoca did make an assault on the king's highway, putting him in corporal fear and danger of his life, and taking from him one walking cane with a metal head, value 10 s . February 23 . ++

Constantine Varoca . I was coming, on Sunday the 23d of February, between 10 and 11 o'clock, along Chick-lane ; five people came behind me, and knocked me down, without speaking to me, and robbed me of my cane: I heard one say, Kill him. Joshua Slayter came by, and they ran away. We got a constable, and went back into Chick-lane, and searched the lodging-house, and found the prisoner; he had my cane in his possession. I cannot swear that he was one of the men that knocked me down. I was sober; I was going from Spitalfields to Soho.

Hugh Edwards . The prisoner came to my house in Chick-lane, and asked for a lodging; he had lain there before; he had this cane in his hand: he threw it down, and went out again. When he came in again, I asked him where he got it; he said he bought it for a pot of beer, at the Raven next door to me. After I was in bed, I was knocked up by the constable; I let them in; they examined every person in the beds; they could not find the person suspected. After that, I was informed by some of the lodgers a cane was lost. Then I went after them, and told them of the cane; they came again, and the gentleman swore to the cane. The prisoner always behaved very well in his lodgings.

Thomas Still . I was coming by; I heard a noise; I went that way, and saw the men come away from the prosecutor: there were four or five of them, the prisoner was one of them; they met me; we went with the gentleman to the watch-house. I went with the constable, and after that they brought the prisoner to the watch-house.

Joshua Slayter . I came up when this was acted; I heard a noise, one of the men came back and said, d - n your eyes you bitch I'll knock your brains out if you say any thing to me; he was going to knock my wife down, I know the prisoner was one of them; we went to the watch-house and told them the affair; I went up to the Coach and Horses near Hatton-garden, then the constable came; we told him what had happened; we went in search of them, we found no cane, so came away, I did not know the prisoner he being undressed. When we were gone, Edwards came and brought the cane to us; then we went and took the prisoner, he said he bought it at the Raven for 3 d. we did not go to the Raven to enquire.

Charles Clark . I am the constable, we searched the house; after that Edwards came and told us of the cane, then we went and took the prisoner; he first said he bought it at the Black Raven for 3 d. halfpenny, after that he said one of the company gave it him.

Prisoner's defence.

I had been in Charter-house-square; coming back to the Fleet-market, where I live, I heard a noise; I went up, and found I knew one of the young fellow using this gentleman ill; I took hold of him and desired him to let him alone; I left him, and he went to the gentleman again and struck him; I went and pulled him again; then he went with me: then Richard Wade came to me, we went to the Black Raven, there came in a stranger with this cane; he said he found it where we had been fighting, he wanted me to buy it; I said I did not want such a thing; then he desired me to take it in my lodging for him.

Q. to prosecutor. Had you any money about you?

Prosecutor. I had, but I suppose they had not time to take that.

Acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-14

215. (M.) Anne Sullivan was indicted for stealing a man's hat, value 2 s. three 36 s. pieces, four guineas, eleven half guineas, and three quarter guineas, the property of William Hammond , privately from his person , March 12 . *

William Hammond . I live in Peter's court, Rosemary-lane; on the 12th of March I went into the prisoner's house, in Buckle-street , having been there before; I asked her how she did; I sat down and eat some supper with her and Mary Barry ; I sent for some beer, and after that some gin; then we went over the way to the Hamburgh Arms and had some beer. I had in my pocket the money mentioned in the indictment and more, I counted it over there; then we went to the prison's house again: she took my hat and wig from my head, and threw my wig in my face; while I stooped to take it up, she ran me backwards against her bed; I fell down on it, and she upon me; I felt her hand in my pocket, the candle was put out before. She rose up and dropped a guinea on the floor; she said she would go for a farthing candle. I stooped down to look for the guinea, and she slew out of the house. Then I felt and found I was robbed of my money, the same as in the indictment, (mentioning them by name)

Q. What are you?

Hammond. I am a licensed man in the Pedler's office .

Mary Garret . The prisoner and I were at supper; she asked him to eat; he did, then the prisoner and I went out and left Poll Barry and him together; after that Poll went home, he came to the public-house to us, and pulled his money out and told it, but I do not know how much there was of it. Then we went home again, and he and the prisoner sell to play; she beat his hat off, and said he should not have it till he had paid for the use of the room; they were on the bed together; she got off, and said there was a halfpenny sell, and she must go and get a candle: she went out; he then called the watchman in, and there they found a guinea on the floor.

Acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-15

216, 217. (M.) John Boot and Sarah Haycock were indicted, the first for stealing a linen gown, value 2 s. the property of Benjamin Gilbert , and the other for receiving the same, well knowing it to have been stolen , March 25 . ++

The gown was pledged by the prisoner Haycock to Mr. Clark, a pawnbroker in Benjamin street, but there not being sufficient proof that Boot stole it, they were both acquitted .

Boot was a second time indicted for stealing a gown, value 2 s. and a handkerchief, value 2 d. the property of Elizabeth Taylor , widow , March 22 . ++

Elizabeth Taylor . I live in Whitehorse alley, Cow-cross ; on the 22d of March I lost the gown and handkerchief, and on the 26th the constable came to my house and asked me if I had not lost a gown; I said yes; I went with him to Mr. Hugh Wallace 's, there I found them.

Hugh Wallace . The prisoner at the bar pledged. a gown and handkerchief with me, (produced and deposed to.)

218, 219 (M.) John Woodin and John Davis were indicted for stealing a bedhead value 4 s. the property of Samuel Millington Feb. 28 . *

Samuel Millington . I lost a bedhead out of a little summer-house at Hoxton .

John Wells . I was called up by the watchman; I went and saw Mr. Millington's summer-house was broke open, and the bedhead gone, he rents it of me; we went and found the prisoner with it upon them. They said they were poor, and did it out of necessity.

Isaac Reader and Edward Osmond , two watchmen, confirmed that what Wells had given

William Saunders . I am a hosier , and live in Broad St. Giles's : on Saturday the 1st of March, the prisoner came into my shop to sell some waste paper; when he was gone out, Mr. Thomson, who was in my back room, told me he saw him take a pair of stockings; he and I went and brought him back, and he had the stockings in his possession, (produced and deposed to.)

William Thompson . I was with Mr. Saunders in a back room, the prisoner came into the shop with a parcel of paper to sell; Mr. Saunders put it into the scale, and as he turned his back the prisoner took a pair of stockings from off the counter and put them into his pocket; when he was gone I told Mr. Saunders of it. We went after him, and took him in the street and brought him back; then he took out these stockings and put them on the counter.

Prisoner's defence.

I know nothing of it; my handkerchief was out of my pocket, and perhaps I might make a mistake.

He called Terence Welder and Catherine Macaulay to his character, who said they never knew any harm of him.

Elizabeth Heath . I live in Orchard-street ; the prisoner was destitute of a lodging and I took her in; she had been with me five or six months; I missed the things mentioned in the indictment, I told her of it, she would not own to the taking them; I got a warrant and took her up, then she owned to the taking the bed-curtains and half a guinea; she said she had pawned the curtains to Mr. Gunston.

John C I live with Mr. Gunston in Germyn-street, a pawnbroker. On the 25th of January last the prisoner pledged these two bed-curtains with me in the name of Hannah West , (produced and deposed to.)

Thomas Chinner . I am a plumber , and live in Peter street, Bloomsbury ; as I was at dinner on the 7th of March I heard something below stairs; I ordered my servant to go and see, there was the prisoner on the outside the door. She was asked what she wanted: she said she came to enquire for one Mrs. own. My servant said there is no such e, and asked what she had in her apron; prisoner said she might go look. She went my servant pursued and took her; I went out to assist, and found in the prisoner's apron a gown and a pair of shoes of my wife's; the prisoner would not part with them for some time, (produced and deposed to) they were taken from a back room up one pair of stairs.

Jane Chinner . I am wife to the prosecutor, I saw these things taken from out of the prisoner's apron, they are my property.

Richard Sutton . I am a carpenter and joiner at Ratcliffe ; the prisoner came to nurse my wife with the small pox on the 1st of February, and continued the 20th, when my wife got up; at that time she the things mentioned; the prisoner was charged with taking them, she confessed she had taken and pawned them to Mr. Seymour. I went and found them all pawned in the name of Mary Brown .

Andrew Seymour . The prisoner pledged the things mentioned in the indictment with me in the name of Mary Brown . The prosecutor has seen them and swore to them.

Prisoner's defence.

I did pawn the things, but I told the pawnbroker I would fetch them out again the next week.

Guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-21

224. (L.) William White was indicted for stealing a hempen sack, value 1 s. 6 d. the property of Edward Rawlins , and two bushels of coals, value 2 s. the property of persons unknown, April 8 . ++

Mr. Smith. On Tuesday evening as I was going home at the end of Trig-lane, I met the prisoner with a sack on his back; I asked him what he had got there, he told me nothing. I went and seized him by the collar, and asked him again; he said the same again, he threw the sack from his back. I got assistance and secured him; we found a red mark, E. Rawlins, Dartford, 1765; he said he picked the coals out of the mud; we found his stockings very dry, the coals very clean; he was carried before Mr. Alderman Turner, who bound me over to prosecute.

Edward Rawlins . I am a farmer, the sack is my property.

Prisoner's defence.

I gave sixpence for the sack about a month ago, and I picked up the coals along the shore in different places.

Richard Adams . I am a shoe-maker , and live in Kingsland-road; I lost two calicoe shirts out of a yard where they were drying, at Ironmongers-alms-houses .

James Kendrick . I found these shirts upon the prisoner by the side of London field; I pursued and took him there, (produced and deposed to) he kept running till I took him.

Prisoner's defence.

I was going by the alms-houses, and I picked up these shirts by the side of a wall; I saw two people follow me, and I stopped till they came up.

Guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-23

226. (M.) Thomas Smith was indicted, for that he, with an offensive weapon called a pistol, did make an assault on Thomas Nicoll , Esq ; unlawfully and feloniously on the King's highway, with intent the money of the said Thomas to steal. It was laid also, that he in a forcible and violent manner did demand the money of the said Thomas . February 23 . *

Thomas Nicoll , Esq; I was returning home from Barnet about 4 o'clock in the afternoon on the 23d of February, I was in a single horse chaise, and my grand-daughter with me; I had just turned out of Finchley-common about 20 rods, a man came on a grey horse and bid me stop my chaise; he presented a pistol at me, and demanded my money; I told him I would not be robbed; he swore he would shoot me through the head. I had a little boy rode before me, I bid him go on; I whipped my horse along, and he did not pursue me. I cannot positively swear that the prisoner is the man, though I have great reason to believe he is. I called at Sir John Fielding 's, and described the man and horse; Sir John sent me word in about 8 or 10 days that such a one was taken; I was sent for there, I ordered my boy likewise. The prisoner was brought in with several other people, and my boy went and picked him out, and said he was the man.

The boy not knowing the nature of an oath, or the consequence that would attend false swearing, could not be examined.

Acquitted .

(M.) He was a second time indicted, for that he on the King's highway, on Thomas Reynolds did make an assault, putting him in corporal fear and danger of his life, and taking from his person one moidore, and 4 s. and 6 d. in money numbered, the money of the said Thomas, against his will , March 3 . *

Thomas Reynolds . On Monday the 3d of March I was going from London in the Birmingham fly; about half an hour past six in the morning the fly was stopped, about the five mile stone betwixt Highgate and Finchley-common , the windows were both up; the prisoner came and rapped at the window, and cry'd, money! money! money! The windows were let down, I put my hand in my pocket and gave him a 27 s. piece and 4 s. and 6 d. he was on the right side the coach, I sat backwards, and was on the left side; there were three men in the coach, they gave him money: I looked him in the face all the time, I am certain to the prisoner; I believe he staid by the side of the coach about two minutes, he was on a little black horse with a switch tail, and some white on his face.

On his cross-examination he said, it was quite day-light, he never saw the prisoner before; - he was at first surprized, but was quite composed afterwards

- he took such particular notice of him, that if he saw his face again he should know him.

Thomas Holland . On the 3d of March last I was in the Birmingham coach with the prosecutor; about half an hour after six in the morning we were stopped by, I believe, the prisoner at the bar; he demanded our money; he had of me half a guinea, and I believe 9 s. in silver; Mr. Reynolds gave him his money first and I afterwards; after he had taken the money from the other, he bid the coachman drive on, and he went directly for Highgate.

Vincent Willoie . The prisoner lodged at the same house as I do, in St. George's-court, Clerkenwell, he had lodged there 8 or 10 days before he was taken up. I saw him load a pair of pistols on a Monday or Tuesday, but I cannot tell what day of the month it was, betwixt 11 and 12 in the day.

Q. What business is he of?

Willoie. He is a butcher by trade, but did not work with any body as I know of.

Q. Does he keep a horse?

Willoie. I do not know that he does.

George Hale . I have the first floor where the prisoner come to lodge, the landlord is named Moss. The prisoner took the lodging on Sunday the 2d of March at night, on the 3d we heard of a robbery on Finchley-common by a single highwayman, and about 10 o'clock, my door happened to be open, I saw the prisoner run up with his furtout coat on and boots very dirty. On the Thursday following, I saw a description of the man that had committed the robbery in the paper; then we went to Sir John Fielding , and told him our suspicious, and the prisoner was taken up by Sir John's men at his lodgings.

George Moss . The prisoner lodged at my house, I remember his coming home on the Monday morning about 10 o'clock.

Henry Dobins . I live at the George inn in Leather-lane, I left a little black horse with a switch tail to one Smith, I believe the prisoner to be the man, on a Friday, and he had him again the Monday following; he mounted about a quarter after two o'clock in the morning. The horse was sent home on the Tuesday; he said he wanted the horse to go to Hertford.

Q. Did you hear of the Birmingham coach being robbed?

Moss. I did, according to the account in the papers he had the horse the same day.

Prisoner's defence.

That morning that I had this horse I set out to go to Hertford, but I returned back, and was at Islington at Mr. Nash's house, at the time this robbery was committed.

For the prisoner.

Benjamin Nosh . The prisoner was at my house on the Monday morning, I think the 3d of March; I know he was taken up the Thursday after, being the 6th; I hearing he was taken up I went to see him in prison, and they detained me there all night by order of Mr. Marsden, who sent three thief-catchers.

Q. What time of the 6th of March was he at your house?

Nash. He was at my house, as near as I can tell, about a quarter after 7 o'clock.

Q. What house do you keep?

Nash. I keep a public house.

Q. How far is the place described where the robbery was committed, from your house?

Nash. It is about three miles, he had no horse with him when at my house.

Guilty . Death .

Reference Number: t17660409-24

227. (M.) Philip Griffiths was indicted for stealing three guineas, one half guinea, and two shillings in money numbered, the property of Thomas Greenwood , privately from the person of the said Thomas , February 26 . *

Thomas Greenwood . I live at Uxbridge, I am a waiter at the Crown and Thistle there. I was awaked about one in the night on the 26th of February by my fellow servants, and told they had taken a pickpocket in the house. As I was getting up, I missed the money mentioned in the indictment out of my breeches pocket; they had got the prisoner, I told him of it, he denied taking it; then I went up into another room where the prisoner was taken, and looked about and found my money lying under the bed.

Q. What is the prisoner?

Greenwood. I do not know, I never saw him before, I know nothing how he came there; he confessed nothing.

Thomas Hargrave . I was in bed in the same house, I catched the prisoner pulling my breeches from under my head about one o'clock that night; I secured him, and asked him how he came in there; he said he came in before the gates were locked.

I am a taylor , I came from Wales to London to see for business and could get none; it being late I met a man in the street and asked him where I could get lodging, as I had no money; he directed me to this yard, I went in without leave, and lay there.

John Bushell . I am coachman to Lady Anne Furnesse in Dover-street . On the 20th of February, between 7 and 8 in the evening, I lost a blue great coat out of the stable, which I used to wear, the property of my Lady, I know nothing who took it.

Mark Levi . I bought this coat of the prisoner on the 21st of March, for 25 s. (produced and deposed to.) I go about the streets to buy old cloaths.

John Herbert . On the 21st of February I met the prisoner with a blue great coat under his arm, I cannot say this is it, it is like it.

Q. What is the prisoner?

Herbert. He was a coachman.

A witness. This coat Levi offered me to sale on the 21st of February, I had had intelligence of it, so I stopped it.

Nicholas Bourn . A man called me in the street, and offered a blue coat to sell, I did not buy it. I think the prisoner is the man, and this to be the coat, but am not certain.

Prisoner's defence.

I know nothing at all about the coat. The prosecutor knows me, ask him my character.

Bushell. I knew him some time, but was never much in his company: I know no ill of him before this affair.

Acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-26

229. (M.) John Minns was indicted, for that he in Hyde-park , near the King's highway, on William Webb did make an assault, putting him in corporal fear and danger of his life, and taking from his person 10 s. in money numbered, his property, against his will , March 31 . *

William Webb . I was walking in Hyde-park on Easter Monday, between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon; the prisoner came and took me by the collar, and demanded a guinea of me; I told him I had no such money; he forcibly took two King William's crown pieces from me; he frightened me, by telling me he would knock my soul out; I said I was no more than a journeyman carpenter .

Q. Had he any arms with him? (The prisoner is a soldier .)

Webb. No, he had not; I saw nothing in his hands.

Q. Where do you live?

Webb. I live in Berwick-street, and work with Mr. Medley, a builder.

Prisoner. I will tell the whole truth, he was along with a woman, doing things that he ought not to do.

Q. to prosecutor. Had you been with a woman just before?

Prosecutor. I had.

Q. Had you picked her up and been lying with her in the park?

Prosecutor. I will not answer to that.

Q. Did he demand a guinea of you because you had had familiarity with that woman?

Prosecutor. He did mention some such thing.

Acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-27

230. (M.) Peter Hickey was indicted for stealing four guineas and two half guineas, the property of John O'Neal , in the dwelling house of the said John , March 18 . *

John O'Neal . I am a hair-merchant in Shoreditch . On the 18th of March I came home, a few minutes after my wife missed five guineas; she told me the prisoner had taken it, and shewed me the cupboard broke open. He had carried some loads for me as a porter, and he called to know if I had any thing for him to do. I went after him, but did not meet him till four days after, when I met with him in Tower-street; I seized him and brought him into the Bell ale-house, and charged him with taking my money; he confessed he had taken it, and said he was sorry for it; he owned to five guineas; he told me where he had spent one guinea, he owned he had bought a coat with some of it, he told me where he had lodged some of the money. The man told me he had three guineas and a half in his hands; I bid him to take care of it; that was Mr. Leyborn, at the Shepherd and Dog, Ratcliff-highway.

Esther O'Neal . I am wife to the prosecutor: the prisoner was in our house, he had seen me take money out of the corner cupboard. While I and a customer went backwards, he broke my cupboard open, and took out four guineas and two half guineas; he went out, but he returned again, for I heard him talk to my bird, and I know his voice. I did not see him, but I missed the money, and found the lock broke in a few minutes after he was gone, there was nobody there but him;

this was about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. I heard him confess the taking the money out of the cupboard; and I heard him confess the same before the Justices in Whitechapel; but said he was drunk when he did it.

Thomas Parker . The prosecutor stopt the prisoner in Tower-street, and charged me with him. I asked him if he was guilty, or not; he said he took the money out of a corner cupboard, but did not break the cupboard open; he confess the same, in my hearing, before the Justices at Whitechapel.

Prisoner's defence.

They got me drunk, and I did not know what I said. I know nothing of it.

Q. to prosecutor. Was the prisoner in liquor when he confest?

Prosecutor. No, he was not.

Mrs. O'Neal, and Parker the constable, answer the same.

Guilty . Death . Recommended.

Reference Number: t17660409-28

231. (M.) John Upgood was indicted for stealing three pair of iron shoe-buckles, plated with silver, value 3 s. the property of Richard Howard , February 25 . *

Richard Howard . I live in the parish of Hanwell , and am a clock and watchmaker . On the 25th of February, I was called home about half an hour after 8 at night, and told a person had robbed my shop, and the man described to me that was seen to run out of the shop. I caused a hue and cry to be made about the country. I was told such a man was seen going into Brentford. I was coming to London, to acquaint Sir John Fielding of it, and we overtook the prisoner at Hammersmith, about half an hour after 1 o'clock, at the Harrow alehouse. We brought him back to Brentford: there a person said he had seen the prisoner in a field. The prisoner at first denied it; at last he said he would shew us where the buckles were: they were found accordingly. I was not by when he told this, but I heard him confess all afterwards.

William Slatter . On the 25th of February I was in bed; Mr. Howard sent for me; I went. He told me he had been robbed; (I am a constable at Brentford;) we took him before a Justice of the peace. He a long time denied knowing where the buckles were; but when we got him to the Justice's yard, then he said he would tell us where they were, if we would not let a mob be about him. I and Mr. Howard's man went with him to the place where he said they were; it was a garden near Brentford. He said they were on the other side the pales; I got over, and there found them (three pair produced;) he said he had them out of Mr. Howard's shop.

Prosecutor. These are of the same pattern as they I lost: they are my buckles.

John Wade , servant to Mr. Howard, confirmed the tesitmony given by Slatter the constable.

Henry Lack . I am a labouring man , I live at Shepherd's-bush ; my wife's gown and apron were lost, and found by the prisoner's directions.

John Evans . On the 15th of March, Shirley worked for me at Shepherd's-bush. After it was known that Lack's wife had lost a gown and apron, I went into the stable to the prisoner, and said, Harry, if you know any thing of the woman's things, tell her of them. I was at the searching the prisoner's house; we found several things my property, that he had taken from me. When I told him of this, he fell a crying, and said he would let her have them. Then he went along the road, and crossed some fields, and pulled the gown and apron out of a hedge, tied up in a sacking apron of his own. Then the constable took him to his house; there he owned to the fact.

John Bradford , the constable, confirmed that of the confession; (the gown and apron produced and deposed to.)

Prisoner's defence.

I saw these things lying in the hedge; I took them out, and looked at them, and put them in again.

John Dixon . I am uncle to Joseph Dixon . A brass wheel was missing out of a block at the works belonging to Blackfriars-bridge , on the 25th of February; Joseph Dixon is master stone-mason at that bridge . We found by an advertisement, a person was taken up with a brass wheel; we went, as directed, to Mr. Wills the constable, by the Fleet-market, and found it was the wheel we missed; (produced and deposed to.)

Necholas Love. This wheel was lost out of Blackfriars-yard, on the 25th of February. Hearing a wheel was advertised, I took the block to the constable's, and found the wheel belonged to it. I can sware it is Mr. Joseph Dixon 's property.

John Cooper . On the 25th of February, between 2 and 3 in the morning, I saw the prisoner in the yard, as I was watching a west country barge.

John Chandler . I stopt the prisoner at half an hour after 2 o'clock, or thereabouts, in the Fleet-market, and took him to the watch-house; he had 2 brass wheels about him: he put them down under the bench, and said, What have you to do with me now? I asked him where he brought them wheels from. First he said, he brought them from Aldersgate-street; after that, he said he had them from Wapping; and at last he acknowledged where he took them, and said he was in liquor.

William Wills . I am a constable. On the night of the 24th of February, John Chandler , the watchman, brought the prisoner to the watch-house, about a quarter before 3; he had in his possession this brass wheel, and 2 iron ones. I took him before the Alderman, who ordered me to advertise it, as he could give no account of himself; and the people came and owned it.

Prisoner's defence.

The man stopt me at Holborn-bridge; I picked up the wheel in the street.

William Wills . I was constable of the night on the 24th of February; the prisoners were brought to me, and accused with robbing a poor woman of a cloak, which was found upon Elizabeth Jacobs . When she was asked about it, she said Mason was attempting to take off her apron and handkerchief, and almost strangled her. As the woman that charged them could give but little account of herself, for her appearing against them the next day, I ordered her to the Compter for my security. She dropt down in Gutter-lane, and died. I went to the Alderman, and told him the case, and he ordered a jury to fit upon the body, and it was brought in natural death.

James Peal . I was going through Field-lane, between 2 and 3 o'clock that morning; one in the neighbourhood said to the watchman, What is the matter you do not assist the poor woman who is calling watch? I said I would assist him. We made up as fast as we could; I saw 3 women; I catched hold of one of them: the woman that is dead was sitting at a door. She said, I am robbed of my cloak, and ill used: she could hardly speak. She described her cloak by a great pin on the back of it, under the cape, and one black string: I found such a one upon Jacobs. I put it on the woman's shoulders, and took the 2 prisoners to the watch-house. Jacobs said Mason took the cloak off the poor woman, and put it on her, that is, Jacob's shoulders. No, said Mason, you took it, and was stripping the woman of her apron. Then said Jacobs, I'll blow you.

Q. from Mason. Did I not come voluntarily to the watch-house.

Peal. Yes, you did.

Thomas Purcell , the watchman, confirmed the account he and the constable had given.

Both guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-32

236. (L.) Solomon Levi was indicted for stealing a pair of silver shoe-buckles, value 14 s. the property of John Lutwyche and John Henry Vere , March 29 . ++

The prisoner being a foreigner, an interpreter was sworn.

William Lutwyche . My partner is John Henry Vere ; we are goldsmiths and jewellers . On Saturday the 29th of March, the prisoner was standing at our shew-glasses, about dusk: he came in, and desired me to take out a pair of silver shoe-buckles. While I was weighing them, he put a pair unperceived into his pocket. By the price he bid, I found he had no intention to buy. My partner came in, and then we missed a large pair of silver buckles, which we had weighed a little before for a customer. He ran one way, and I another: I light of the prisoner in Fenchurch-street. I took him by the collar, and said he must come back along with me. He began to struggle with me; I got assistance, and got him into my shop, and sent for a constable. Before the constable came, I desired to know what he had in his pocket: he pulled out our pair, with 2 other pairs not ours. The constable came and searched him, and found 4 silk handkerchiefs concealed in his waistcoat, all of a piece, and a pair of worsted stockings on the other side. He was taken to the Compter. I advertised the things; no body has claimed them. (The buckles produced, and deposed to.)

Prisoner's defence.

I brought the handkerchiefs from Holland. I went into this shop, and asked the price of a pair of buckles; he asked 5 s. an ounce for them. I pulled out a pair of buckles from my pocket, and

told him I bought them cheaper than that. We could not agree. I put my buckles by my side, and mixed his among them. I went after that into another silversmith's shop and knew I had but 2 pair about me; and when I came to pull them out, I found 3 pair. I wanted to go to the gentleman's house, to deliver them back, and I could not find it.

Q. to prosecutor. Did he produced any buckles to you?

Prosecutor. No, he did not.

Guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-33

237, 238. (L.) James Everett and Charles White , were indicted for stealing a linen handkerchief, value 3 d. the property of Thomas Langfor ; and 2 handkerchiefs, value 12 d. and a pair of mittins , the property of a person unknown, April 1 . *

Thomas Langfor . My son and I went to see the Blue-coat boys walk, on Tuesday was se'nnight; we were coming under the gate-way out of the 'Change ; Samuel Roberts asked my son if he had lost his handkerchief; my son felt in his pocket, and said he had. Then said Roberts, This is the person that took it, and this received it, and seized them both by the collar. He that had it dropt it on the ground, and my son took it up. A great mob came about, and were for ducking them; but there was an officer who took them both in charge.

Samuel Roberts . I went to see the children at the Royal Exchange walk; I saw Charles White take the handkerchief out of the young man's pocket, and give it to Everett behind him. I immediately went to the young man, and discovered it; then I went and took the 2 prisoners by their collars, and said, This took it, and the other received it of him. As I had hold of them, I could not see the handkerchief fall, but it was taken up from under Everett.

John Parsons . I was walking towards the Royal Exchange; I saw a mob of people; they told me they had got some pickpockets; a person knowing me to be a constable, gave me charge of the 2 prisoners: I carried them to the Compter. Mr. Langfor's son swore the handkerchief was his property; and Mr. Roberts swore he saw White take the handkerchief out of the young man's pocket, and deliver it to Everett. I searched Everett, and on his thigh I found a bunch, and found a pair of mittins close to his thigh.

Thomas Langfor , jun. confirmed the account given by his father, and produced the handkerchief, and deposed it was his property.

Everett's defence.

Before I could recover myself, I was knocked down; they took my hat and wig away, and dragged me away like a dog. I am a plaisterer .

White's defence.

I am a watch-chain-maker ; I have some witnesses to my character.

Everett called William Gardner , Joseph Butler , and Rowland Herbert , 3 plaisterers; and White called Esther White his mistress, with whom he was apprentice, and Thomas Fisher , who gave them good characters.

Hannah Deale . I am wife to John Deale ; I live in Fore-street ; the things mentioned in the indictment were taken from me when I lay in. The first thing I missed was the tea-kettle, which was on the day she left me, the 6th of February: then I had lain-in just a week. After that I missed all my wearing apparel (mentioning the things in the indictment:) the prisoner was my nurse . We took her up, and charged her with taking them, and she owned she did, and carried us to 3 different pawnbrokers where she had pawned them. One gown was pawned to Mr. Davis, a pawnbroker by London-wall, for 6 s. some of the things were at Mr. Flude's, the corner of Wood-street; the others at Mr. Hart's, in Grub-street.

John Bushby . I went with the constable to take the prisoner up, in Old Bethlem. When we accused her with taking the things, she said she would go and show us where she had pawned them. I went with her to all 3 of them.

Thomas Fountain , the constable, deposed the same as Bushby.

Only one of the 3 pawnbrokers was examined, viz. Clements Hart, who produced a handkerchief, apron, shift, pair of stays, and tea-kettle, which he deposed he took in of the prisoner at the bar. (These, with the rest found at the other pawnbrokers, were deposed to by Mrs. Deale.

Rev. William Davis . I married one Sarah Baker to Nicholas Bedgood , in the parish of St. James's in Bristol, on the 13th of December, 1756: the bans were first published. (He reads the account in the book; witness William Baker and Sarah Trinman .) This is my hand-writing, but I do not remember one circumstance of it.

John Walker . I keep a public-house in Flower-de-luce-court, Tooley-street; the prisoner and Nicholas Bedgood lived just by me; they used my house; they confirmed to me they were man and wife: I have heard him say they were married at Bristol; and she has said he was her husband.

Q. When did they live by you?

Walker. This is 4 years ago; he used to sell cyder.

Q. Is he living or dead.

Walker. He is alive; I saw him about 3 weeks ago; he works somewhere about the Three Cranes.

Mrs. Gibson. I did live in Tooley-street, but now I live in Flower de-luce-court, next door to Mr. Walker: the prisoner and her husband Bed-good lodged in my house; they lay together, and went for man and wife; I have heard her call him husband: this is about 4 years ago. I have heard them say they came from Bristol. I have not seen Bedgood these 3 years.

Thomas Barber . I was with the husband Bedgood at the taking the prisoner up, in Haydon-yard in the Minories. As soon as she saw her former husband, she called him blackguard, and was going to beat him. When she came before the Justices in Whitechapel, I heard him and she both, in the presence of each other, own they were married to each other; and he made oath of it. The Justices ordered her to be carried before Sir Thomas Rawlinson .

Q. What are you?

Barber. I am a ticket-porter.

Elizabeth Nichols . I remember the prisoner living with Nicholas Bedgood at Bristol, as man and wife; he was in the cyder trade: I left Bristol 2 years ago.

Prisoner. John Wicks is my husband.

John Wicks . I saw the prisoner first at Mr. Dorrington's, at the Castle in King-street, Cheapside; she was servant there. I asked her if she was a widow, by seeing a ring on her finger. She said she had been a widow 2 years and a half, and that her husband's name was Nicholas Bedgood .

Q. How long is this ago?

Wicks. This is about 20 months ago. I asked her whether she had any children; she said she had one girl, about 7 years of age, at Bristol, and that she had a house there, which she had been offered 250 l. for, and she could sell it for 300 l. she believed; and that it brought her in about 12 l. a year. I told her I would not marry her, without she had a letter produced from Bristol, giving an account of it. There was a letter she produced, with the post mark upon it: so I married her, for the sake of doing well in the world, as all other people would. This letter was to let me know there was such a house there. and every thing as she had mentioned to me. I saw Nicholas Bedgood this morning alive and well. I was married to the prisoner at St. Lawrence's church, at the bottom of King-street , by bans, on the 1st of September, 1764: here is a young woman that was at the marriage.

Mary Wilson . I saw Mr. Wicks and the prisoner married in St. Lawrence Jewry; I cannot tell justly how long it is ago: I think it was in September 12 months.

Benjamin Holloway . I am clerk of St. Lawrence Jewry; I remember Mr. Wicks and the prisoner were married to each other there, on the 1st of September, 1764

Prisoner's defence

I can prove that Nicholas Bedgood had another wife at the time I married him.

For the prisoner.

Mary Brent . I knew the prisoner a girl at Bristol; she was married, by report, to that Bedgood; but, after she was with child, there came an old woman and claimed him as her husband; she shewed her certificate to me, and I read it; and I really believe she was his lawful wife.

Q. How long is this ago, since you saw that woman.

Brent. This is 8 years ago, I believe.

Prisoner. Bedgood was married to that woman before I was born.

Guilty . B .

Reference Number: t17660409-36

241. (L.) Catherine, wife of Joseph Flindell , was indicted for stealing 41 guineas, 1 half-guinea, and one 18 shilling piece, the property of James Narroway , in the dwelling-house of the said James . March 31 . *

James Narroway is a taylor in Blackfriars ; he was out upon business; his wife went to a public-house, after putting her door too, which went with a spring-lock. When she returned, the door was found open, and the money mentioned was missing. The

prisoner and her husband lodged in the house: the prosecutor just took up a, who was discharged; after that the prisoner was taken up, but the prosecutor and his wife both said they knew nothing against her.

Acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-37

242, 243. (M.) Joseph Borne and Alexander Brown were indicted, the first for stealing 55 pounds weight of tobacco, value 20 s. the property of William King , privately in the shop of the said William ; and the other for receiving 27 pounds, part of the same, well knowing it to have been stolen , March 19 . *

Mrs. King. My husband is named William: he is in Virginia in America. I rent a shop in East-Smithfield , and sell tobacco ; I lost tobacco out of my shop at several different times; I lost 55 pounds on the 19th of March in one parcel, it was taken out of my shop by three men, Borne was one of them; they run away, and I after them: I took him in the shop of one Banks on Tower-hill, with part of the tobacco; I think Brown is servant to Banks. Banks returned me 26 pounds of it, he is a tobacconist. When I called for assistance, Banks clapped the door too against the headborough at first.

Charles Conner . I heard the prisoner Borne confess he took the tobacco, and sold it to Brown; that the whole came to 13 s. and he had received half a crown of the money. I asked him where the tobacco was; he shewed me the place, and Brown confessed it was in that place, and Banks reproved him for shewing where it was. There is a bill of indictment found against Banks.

Mary Roberts . I saw Borne go into Bank's shop; then I went and called Mrs. King: when we first went into the shop, they all denied that any tobacco was brought there; afterwards Borne said, if Mrs. king would not hurt him, he would confess, so did Brown; Borne said he sold it to Brown, and Brown gave him half a crown of the money. Mr. Banks bid Mrs. King take her tobacco; she said she was not a porter, and would not. Mr. Conner was were present.

Mr. Butler. I am headborough of St. John's Wapping: I was sent for to take Borne in custody. Banks would not let me in at first; I rapped very hard, then he came and let me in: they were quarrelling one among another; I saw a parcel of tobacco lying by the counter. Mrs. King said, there is the thief, I deliver him into your hands. Borne owned to me he had stole the tobacco; some was in a sack and some loose; he said he got into the shop of Mrs. King, under pretence of buying a pennyworth of tobacco, and saw the parcel in a sack, and he took it away, and that there were two of his companions on each side the door watching; he said he had sold it to Brown. Brown said he had not sold it to him; Borne said he had received half a crown in part; I saw him have half a crown in his left hand. I know nothing against Brown.

Borne's defence.

As I was coming along, I met two lads with a bag; they asked me if I knew where I could sell some tobacco for them; I came to this man's house with it, knowing he had bought tobacco before.

Brown's defence.

This man came into the shop, and asked me if I would buy a parcel of tobacco; I asked him how he came by it; he said he had it of two sailors; I said I would weigh it. I thought it had been smuggled tobacco; I did not agree for any price, neither did I give him any money for it.

Brown called Peter Watts , who had known him 16 years; Alexander Allen, from a child; Joseph Green, Leonard Hull , Thomas Walker , David Cordosoe , John Philips , Mr. Leicester , and Mr. Peldoe , some years; who all gave him a very good character.

Joseph Pellett . I live just below Ratcliff-cross, and am a cooper ; I had the misfortune to be burnt out in January last; I moved my goods into a carpenter's work-shop, the prisoner worked journey work for that carpenter ; the bed and bolster, mentioned in the indictment, were taken away.

Q. Had you ever seen the bed and bolster there?

Pellett. I have: they were missing on the 22d of February; one of the men said the prisoner was there last the night before, and may be he might have it, as he was going to be married, and that he worked then at Stepney. I got a warrant, and went and found them in his apartment: I took him up, and he was committed to New Prison; he said he was going to be married, and he believed the d - l was in him, that he did take them.

Roger Edwards . I heard the prisoner own he took the bed and bolster by himself, and prayed God to forgive him.

John Taylor . I had the warrant to search; we found the bed and bolster in the prisoner's apartment. When we took him up, he owned he took the bed for the sake of having the girl he was going to be married to.

Prisoner's defence.

I have been robbed of many of my tools, and was at law with Joseph Atwood and Richard Bisby for an assault, and the prosecutor is a friend of theirs, and so they do this against me.

For the prisoner.

Walter Merrit . I am father to the prisoner: I had several witnesses here to give him a character, but they are gone home, intending to come again to-morrow at 10 o'clock. My son was going to be married to a sober girl of good character, he was out asked at church.

Guilty 10 d. W .

Reference Number: t17660409-39

245, 246. (M.) Anne Roberts , spinster , was indicted for stealing a silver watch, value 20 s. the property of John Ridley ; and Edward Haley for receiving the same, well knowing it to have been stolen , March 31 . ++

John Ridley . I am a sailor : last Monday was a week I was at a public-house in Ratcliff-highway , just at candle lighting; I sat down and called for a pint of twopenny; the woman at the bar came to me, and asked me if I was not a north countryman; then she asked me to go home with her, which I did; she got a candle and we went up stairs; she asked me if I was for having any thing to do with her, and in the mean time she took my watch out of my pocket; I did not perceive her to do it. She went down stairs and left me there alone; I was putting on my cloaths, and then I missed my watch. I went on board directly, and we went there the next morning, and she was taken up upon suspicion. I know nothing against the other prisoner.

Q. Are you sure you had your watch at the time you went into that room?

Ridley. I had it in my pocket when I took my trowsers off.

Oliver Smith . I am a clock-maker: Edward Haley came to me on the 31st of March, betwixt 10 and 11, and asked me if I would buy a watch; he produced this, (a silver watch produced in court, and deposed to by the prosecutor.) He asked me two guineas for it: I said how came you by it; he said his wife has had it in her custody this half year for money. I knew neither he nor his wife, as he called her, (which is the other prisoner) were worth a farthing; I said I must stop it and you too; I said, who had you the watch of; he said the woman was over the way, waiting for him to bring the money. I sent a messenger over to her, to tell her the watch was sold, and for her to come to have a glass of wine out of the bargain; the woman came, then I stopped her also. I carried them to the Tower goal, from thence to the bench of Justices in the morning; the prosecutor came and swore to his watch, and they were both committed. The prosecutor told me the marks of the watch before he saw it.

Robert's defence.

The man had but six-pence about him; he desired me to send for a dram, then he said he would send his watch to pawn for half a guinea, and stay in the room with me all night. I went, and when I came again he was gone, and I sent the watch to Mr. Smith in the morning.

Haley's defence.

This woman desired me either to pawn or dispose of this watch, I carried it to Mr. Smith; had I known it dishonestly came by, I should never have gone to a headborough's house with it.

Both acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-40

247, 248, 249, 250. (M.) James Reding , Owen Cheslyn , and John Merchant , were indicted for stealing a silver watch, value 3 l. one chrystal stone stock-buckle, set in silver, value 10 s. one chrystal stone knee-buckle, set in silver, value 4 s. the property of Christian Daniel Henricks , in his dwelling-house ; and Edward Hull for receiving the said watch, well knowing it to have been stolen , March 21 . ++

Christian Daniel Henricks . I am a goldsmith , and live in Hemmings's-row . On the 21st of March I was obliged to go out; the shop was left open, my spouse was in the shop. I had not been gone five minutes before I had word brought me that my shop was robbed; I went home directly, and found my wife had two boys in the shop, Jones, the evidence, and Merchant. My wife sent for a constable: I looked and missed a silver watch, a stock-buckle and knee-buckle from the inside of the window; there were found two shoes in Merchant's pockets. I took them both to the round-house: my window was broke all to pieces. The next morning another boy was apprehended in Covent-garden; they were all three taken before Sir John Fielding . The constable found the shoemaker in Round-court that owned the shoes; he prosecuted Merchant last week at New Guildhall, Westminster, for them; the other two remained in the gatehouse till the Saturday following; then Justice Fielding sent me word to come; I went,

and told him I had found nothing: then the other two were discharged, On the Monday after the evidence was taken up on another robbery, then he was admitted King's evidence, and confessed to their robbing me; then I was sent for again; Jones told me he had given the watch to a woman in the Gatehouse, and she gave it to a man in order to bring 16 s. for it to Jones. I went with the officer by Jones's direction where the stock-buckle was pawned, (produced, with another of the same pattern to compare) this I verily believe to be my property. The prisoners were all taken up upon the evidence's information. I heard Hull say he had not the watch then, but he had sold it to a Jew.

Thomas Jones . I was an apprentice to a turner; I have left my master two years, and have been at sea. I have been acquainted with the prisoners three months, except Cheslyn, and him I have been acquainted with three weeks, (See Cheslyn, No 120, in last Sessions Paper.) There were John Merchant , ( William Warwick , not taken,) and Owen Cheslyn together; we saw this gentleman go out, and only a woman in the shop, we took the opportunity; Warwick broke the window with his elbow, the others were standing at a little distance.

Q. Where did you go out from, and at what time?

Jones. We went out from St. Giles's about six in the evening. Warwick took the watch, and, I think, Owen Cheslyn took the buckles out, there were two stock-buckles and one knee-buckle; this was what they told me since I was taken up. As soon as the woman came out of the shop, I and Merchant walked towards her, and asked her what was the matter; she said the window was broke; she sent for a constable, and stopped me and Merchant, and searched us; we were sent to St. Martin's round-house, and the next morning we were taken before Sir John Fielding ; this was after Warwick had delivered the watch to me: I put it into the toe of my shoe, and had it there when before Sir John Fielding . I sent for Elizabeth Hackett to the goal, and delivered it to her wrapped up in a piece of cheque, and desired her to deliver it to Hull, the prisoner, to see if he could sell it for me, (he lives in St. Giles's) this was on a Sunday morning, and on the Monday morning she brought me 16 s.

Q. What sort of a watch was it?

Jones. It was a small silver watch. When Warwick gave it me in the Gatehouse it had no ribbon nor key to it.

Prosecutor. Mine was a small silver watch.

Jones. Reding was in the street when this was done, and the next day he insisted on part of the things, and Cheslyn told me since he had part of the things, and Reding was not originally one of our party, I had never been concerned with him.

Elizabeth Hackett . I live in St. Giles's: I have seen the evidence and prisoners together at an alehouse; Jones lived next door but one to me last summer. I went to see him in the Gatehouse, and he delivered something to me tied up in a cheque handkerchief, and desired me to give it to Edward Hull .

Q. Did he tell you what Hull was to do with it?

E. Hackett. No, he did not.

Q. Did he tell you what it was?

E. Hackett. No, he did not.

Q. Did you take notice of it, to see what it was?

E. Hackett. No, I did not.

Hull. There was a bit of paper, a note in the handkerchief.

Q. to Hackett. What time did you carry it to Hull?

E. Hackett. I carried it to him about 10 o'clock on the Sunday morning, and he gave me the money about 11 on the Monday, in Church-lane, at his own house; he was sick in bed, and was not able to carry the money himself.

Q. What money did he send by you?

E. Hackett. He delivered half a guinea in gold, and 5 s. 6 d. in silver, which I carried to Jones.

Anthony Simpson . I am servant to Mr. Bland, a pawnbroker in Shepherd-street: this chrystal stone stock-buckle, (producing one) James Reding pledged with me the 22d of last month, about six in the evening; he wanted 8 s. on it; my master would not lend him so much; he went out, and came in again and took 4 s.

Q. Did you know him before?

Simpson. We did.

Q. What is he?

Simpson. His father is a chairman.

Court. You pawnbrokers act very carefuly: this buckle is not likely to belong to the son of a chairman. This must be some way or other controuled, or we shall be over-run with thieves.

Reding's defence.

I met Tom Jones , Jack Merchant , Owen Cheslyn , and the other not taken; I went one way and they the other: I went and lay in Maynard-street. The next morning Owen Cheslyn

gave me that stock-buckle; I was not in the street when the fact was done.

Cheslyn's defence.

Warwick gave me two stock-buckles and a knee-buckle; he had a watch in his breeches pocket: Reding snatched a knee-buckle out of my hand, and said he would keep it.

Merchant's defence.

We did not come out together, for Warwick and I were walking together; Owen Cheslyn and Jones met us; we walked together, and as we were coming down St. Martin's-lane Cheslyn and Warwick left us; said Jones stop a bit, and I'll go it; we soon heard a window break; said Jones let's go and see; a woman was at the door; Jones said to her what is the matter; I have lost a watch, said she, and I believe you are the lad that took it. He said to me, Jack, don't be afraid, come in; so I went in, I never saw the watch nor had any of the money.

Hull's defence.

I was sent for to the Gatehouse to Tom Jones ; I was very bad with the ague and fever, I got that woman to go for me; she brought up something in a rag and bid me sell it for a guinea, there was a note in it. The spring of the watch was broke, and I could get no more than 16 s. for it. I kept no part of the money, but sent it all to him. I was afraid to go to pawn it, for fear I should be stopped: I sold it in the street, but do not know the man again.

Cheslyn and Merchant guilty of stealing, but not in the dwelling-house . T .

Reding and Hull acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-41

251. (M.) George Williams was indicted for stealing six bushels of coals, value 3 s. the property of Benjamin Kennet and Matthew Windle , March 7 . *

Benjamin Kennet , the younger. I and Thomas Chitty saw the prisoner on board our barge on the 7th of March, between 8 and 9 at night, where were coals lying loose. We jumped into it: there were two sacks filled, and another with two or three shovels full in it; the sacks were not our property. The prisoner said, he believed we had awaked him out of his sleep: he was a stranger to us; he had a boat there. The barge was lying fast to a ship's hawser: the coals are the property of Matthew Windle and my father.

Thomas Chitty . We saw a man among the coals in the barge; I rowed along side the barge, there was the prisoner standing. I asked him what business he had there; he said he was calling a sculler. We saw 2 sacks full of coals, and another with a few in it; the sacks did not belong to us. We took the prisoner, and brought him on shore, and he was committed.

Prisoner's defence.

I am a ballast-heaver ; I went to go to work; they came and used me ill, and knocked me down.

Roger Griffin . I live at Mousewell-hill. On the 26th of February I was going along Clerkenwell, and was there told by a stranger, that the prisoner had robbed me, and was directed to a person, where I went, and found it was so: the prisoner was employed to drive my cart , with timber that I had bought out of the ruins of the fire in Cornhill. I took him up, and charged him with it; he owned he had sold as many pieces as he had received 5 or 6 shillings for, joists and boards of different lengths; that he had sold them to people to burn as he went along, 5 or 6 at a time, more than I have laid in the indictment; some of them were as good as new for repairing.

James Horne . I keep a chandlers-shop in Cow-cross; I sell wood and coals. On the 12th of February last, the prisoner came into my shop, and asked me if I would buy 2 or 3 pieces of firewood. I went with him to his cart; there were 2 or 3 pieces of joiks; I bought them of him; and at different times, to the best of my knowledge, I bought as many as came to 5 or 6 s. the man at the next door told me he was afraid the prisoner did not come honestly by the wood; I would have nothing more to do with him. Mr. Griffin came to me, and I shewed him the wood, some found, some not; I bought them for firewood.

Monday morning, I was searching about among the pawnbrokers, and at Mrs. Alford's I found my sattin cardinal and laced handkerchief; I found my gown was sold to one Mr. Bourn, in Bow-street; the red cloak in pawn to Mr. Allen, in White's-yard, Rosemary-lane. When the prisoner was taken up, she owned she came into my house, and hoped I would be merciful to her; she did not own she took any thing out. I never saw her before.

Anne Eades . On Easter-eve, the prisoner asked me to carry the cardinal to pawn for half a crown, which I did, and gave her the money: and about half an hour after she desired me to carry the handkerchief, which I did, for 2 s. and gave her the money.

Elizabeth Alford . The cardinal and handkerchief were pledged to me by Anne Eades ; (produced and deposed to.)

William Harvey . I am an officer; I had the prisoner in charge; at first she denied taking the things: I found Bennet carried some of the things for the prisoner; I could not find her till this morning: she is here.

Elizabeth Bennet . The prisoner was destitute of a lodging; I let her lie with me; she brought the gown to me, and said it was her first husband's, and desired I would make the most of it I could: so I sold it to Mr. Bourn, for half a guinea. I gave the prisoner 2 half-crowns, and, being in distress, I used the rest. I carried the red cloak for her to Mr. Allen, a pawnbroker. She was always seizing me to death to fetch and carry things for her.

Prisoner's defence.

I was cleaning my room on my knees with my scrubbing-brush; Bennet wanted me to pawn a black cardinal; I said I would not, for if my Jack came home he would lick me; she desired me to pawn a cloak and handkerchief: then I called Anne Eades , and sent her with them. I leave it to the mercy of the court.

Q. to Eades. Was Bennet by when the prisoner sent you with any of the things.

Thomas Darnill . I live in Spitalfields : my wife hired the prisoner in the market, on the 12th of October; one the 12th of November we left her in care of the house while we went out, and when we came home the things mentioned, and more, were missing, and she also. After that I heard she was in Clerkenwell-bridewell for another offence; my wife and I went there: she confessed she took the things away, and the box in which they were; and the man she kept company with broke the box to pieces; she mentioned the things in particular, and said she wore my wife's best cap the next day.

Anne his wife confirmed the evidence he had given. Nicholas English and Abraham Waller deposed to that of the prisoner's confession.

Lewis Masquerier . I live in Coventry-street, St. James's, and carry on several branches; watch-making is one: the prisoner was my journeyman ; he came to me about 16 months ago, to mend and sit up work in the shop. I missed a great number of watches (mentioning the particulars laid in the indictment ) I took the prisoner before a magistrate, and charged him with taking them; 4 of them were laid upon the table; he owned 3 of them belonged to me, and the other was the property of customer of mine. He owned he pawned them with Mr. Hodges, by whom they were produced; he owned to some of the others, to that of Mr. Lloyd's, Mr. Jomart's (which was pawned to Mr. Marriat) and a silver watch of Mr. Stubbs's, pawned to Mr. Brown.

THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS ON THE KING's COMMISSIONS of the PEACE, OYER and TERMINER, and GOAL DELIVERY FOR THE CITY of LONDON; And also the GOAL DELIVERY FOR THE COUNTY of MIDDLESEX, HELD AT JUSTICE-HALL in the OLD-BAILEY, On Wednesday the 9th, Thursday the 10th, Friday the 11th, and Saturday the 12th, of APRIL, 1766.

In the Sixth Year of His MAJESTY's Reign. Being the Fourth SESSIONS in the MAYORALTY of THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE NELSON , Esq; LORD-MAYOR of the CITY of LONDON.

NUMBER IV. PART II.

LONDON,

Printed for J. WILKIE, at the Bible, in St. Paul's Church-Yard. [Price Six-Pence.]

THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS ON THE King's Commissions of the Peace, Oyer and Terminer, and Goal Delivery held for the City of LONDON, &c.

Continuation of the Trial of Frederick Richards .

Thomas Carver .

THE prisoner brought 5 silver watches, and 2 with outside cases shagreen, to me, for me to pledge for him, which I did. I pledged 1 to Mr. Brown, 2 to Mr. Hall, 1 to Mr. Humphrys, 1 to Mr. Scrivner, and 1 to Mr. Marriat.

John Collier , servant to Mr. Dunning, a pawnbroker, produced a gold watch which he took in of the prisoner.

The watches produced and deposed to, either by their respective owners or Mr. Masquerier.

Mr. Presfield. I am in the watch-way; the prisoner owned to me he had pawned several of his master's customers watches, without his knowledge or consent, and applied to me for money to fetch them out.

The prisoner said nothing in his defence; but called John Whiteman , Mr. Collison, Mr. Norton, Mr. Pain, Mr. Haw, Mr. Hains, Mr. Hatchet, Thomas Rice , Mr. Clark, and John Lake, who all gave him a good character.

William Warner . I am gardener to Mr. Langford at Highgate ; I lost my hat last Saturday was a week, out of the servants-hall, and the prisoner was seen about the place; I found it at Elizabeth Gorie 's, who keeps a green-stall; after which the prisoner was taken up: he said at first he found it; after that, he said he bought it; the hall communicates with a court that goes out into the street, and the gate was open.

Elizabeth Gorie . I sell greens at Highgate. On Saturday was se'nnight, about 4 or 5 in the afternoon, the prisoner came, and wanted me to buy a hat; he was quite a stranger: I gave him 9 d. for it. He said he found it; and the next morning he said he bought it of a woman.

Prisoner's defence.

I bought that hat at Highgate, within 20 yards of that woman's house, for 6 d.

John Timbrell . I am servant to Mess. Whiting and Deverell at Holborn-bridge. About the 4th or 5th of March Mr. King, son to Elizabeth King , came to our house, and asked me whether we had not sent a parcel to their waggon, at the King's-arms at Holborn-bridge, to go to Mrs. Holmes at Watford, that contained tapes, pins, thimbles, and quality-bindings. I told him we had. He said that parcel was stolen out of the waggon; he said he suspected the 2 prisoners, and desired me to go to the house where he had information of it, saying there was such a parcel, but the direction was torn off. I went and saw it, at the Fox in Fox-court. The 2 prisoners were taken up, and carried before my Lord-Mayor, there we opened the parcel; in it we found our bill of parcels, which answered to the things. The 2 prisoners confessed they had taken the parcel out of the waggon in Holborn , on this side the bars, and carried it to the Fox, in Fox-court, Gray's-inn-lane.

John King . I am son to Elizabeth King , she is owner of the waggon; this parcel (producing it) was delivered to me on the 1st of March: when we came home to unload, the parcel was missing: when I came to London again, I was informed a parcel was stopped at the Fox, in Fox-court;

there we found it: this was the 4th of March. We let it alone for 3 or 4 journies; and when the 2 prisoners came there again, they were stopped. Then Lamball said How got up into the waggon, and gave it to him, and he carried it away, between 10 and 11 o'clock in the day, a little before the waggon came to Holborn-bars.

Rebecca Backhouse . I live at the Fox, in Fox-court, a public house: Joseph Lamball brought this parcel to me on the 1st of March, betwixt 10 and 11 o'clock, and desired he might leave it, and said he would fetch it in 10 minutes, for his waggon was gone before, and he should have anger if he did not take care of it; the other prisoner was with him; they were not in their soldiers cloaths, they were both dressed like countrymen. When they had been gone about half an hour, I began to be very uneasy; I found the direction was torn off, and the bottom of the letters left upon the paper: I saw they had opened a corner, to see what was in it. I sent for a neighbour, and told him of it. He said, Don't trouble yourself with it, you may have a great deal of trouble. Soon after Lamball came in, and asked for it. I said I would not part with it, till I had been before a justice of the peace. I went to secure my tankard, and How said to Lamball, Go and fetch the man that gave it you: he went out. Then I said to How, Don't you think this is stolen, by the direction being taken off? Said he, I know nothing of it. I said to him, Pray where does your waggon stand? He said, At Temple-bar. I said, You mean Holborn-bars. He said, Yes, I do. Then he said, Madam, do not part with it: for, depend upon it, it is stolen; and away he went. I went out to see for him, and they were both standing together in the middle of the road. I found afterwards, they had used to load this waggon. My Lord-Mayor ordered me to take the parcel into my custody till it was produced here, which I did.

Thomas Winspear . I live opposite Staple's-inn in Holborn. I was standing by my door, the Watford waggon was going by; I saw a man jump up into it on his knees and put his head into the waggon, and pull out a paper parcel like this. He went with it to Wharton's-court, which goes to Fox-court; he was in a country dress. This was between 10 and 11 o'clock in the forenoon; I am not certain to the day.

Lamball's defence.

I had been up all night drinking; we were coming along Holborn, and saw this parcel lie in the street; I took it up, and, having other business to do, we carried it to this woman's house. I belong to Colonel Baugh's regiment

He called James Butler , a serjeant,who spoke for him.

How's defence.

I am quite innocent of the affair; I belong to Colonel Patton's regiment .

He called George Brown and Robert Hindmarsh 2 soldiers, who gave him a good character.

Both guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-48

259. (L.) John Cartwright was indicted for stealing 3 ounces weight of silver, value 15 s. the property of William Cafe , March 30 . ++

William Cafe . I am a working silversmith in Gutter-lane ; I hired the prisoner as a yearly servant , to sweep the shop, blow the bellows, and carry out goods: when we have been melting, we have missed 2 or 3 ounces of silver at a time. On Easter Sunday, being the 30th of March, when I came home, I was told the prisoner had robbed me, and he was in the garret. I being a constable, went up and examined him; he denied it; and at last he confessed he had robbed me; and after that he confessed it to me and another person.

Mrs. Cafe. The maid went up to see for the boys dirty linen; in looking about, she saw silver appear out of the prisoner's breeches; she came down, and gave it to me; I desired her to search farther; she did, and brought me a paper of pieces of silver. The prisoner was not at home; he came home between 5 and 6; then I sent for Mr. Cafe: he came, and went up stairs, and brought the prisoner down; and I heard him confess he took the silver out of the sand.

Sarah Wigmore . I am servant to Mr. Cafe; I found these 2 parcels of silver in the prisoner's breeches pocket; he owned to the breeches when my master asked him. I heard the prisoner say he took the pieces, to see how much it would make up in such a time; he took it all out of the sand; (the silver produced, and deposed to by the prosecutor, by some remarkable pieces.)

Francis Cromp . I was sent for to the prisoner; I heard him say he took the pieces out of the sand, in order to see how much the waste would amount to.

Prisoner's defence.

There are 3 other people lie in the same room; some body else might put them into my pocket; I am innocent as the child unborn.

He called Robert Hughes , a bookseller's servant, and Thomas Morris , a victualler, who gave him a good character.

Charles Dobson . I live with Mr. John Whiting , a linen-draper in Cheapside . On Tuesday morning last the prisoner came into our warehouse, about 8 o'clock; she went out in a great hurry; I knowing she had no business there, followed her to the lane end, and saw her go up the lane; I returned into the warehouse again, and then went out a second time, and saw her coming with 2 pieces of linen in her hand. As soon as she saw me, she throwed down the goods, and endeavoured to make her escape. I went and seized her directly; and a constable being just by, I gave him charge of her. (The 2 pieces produced, and deposed to as his master's property, his mark being upon them.) These lay on a chest, or dresser, near the door where she came in.

Simon Cook . I saw the prisoner have the linen under her arm; she dropped them down under my window; she ran back as soon as she saw Mr. Dobson coming, and cried, Moggy: he soon secured her.

Prisoner's defence.

There was another woman along with me; they let her go, and took me.

Guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-50

261. (L.) William Crompton was indicted for personating and assuming the name and character of William Crunkton , late quarter-master on board his Majesty's ship Liverpool, in order to receive prize-money due to him, &c . February 8 . *

- I am concerned as deputy to the agent, Mr. Richard Evans , for the ship Liverpool, for the payment of prize-money for the reduction of Pondicherry, in the East-Indies: I have the books here; William Crunkton appears to be intitled to 3 l. 19 s. 6 d. prize-money. There were 3 quarter-masters on board the Liverpool, Joseph Ackshaw , Benjamin Pell , and William Crunkton . On the 8th of February the prisoner applied to me, demanding prize-money due to him, as quarter-master on board this ship, and said his name was William Crompton . He produced a certificate, which he said he had from lientenant Oaks. I looked at it, and suspected him, it not appearing like his hand-writing. I looked into the books, and found no such name as William Crompton . I said, Here is William Crunkton He said, That is me; I was at the reduction of Pondicherry; and they have spelt my name wrong in the books. I asked him who were his brother quarter-masters; he said he had forgot. I asked him who was boatswain, gunner, or carpenter of the ship; he made me the same answers: he did not know, or he had forgot. Still he insisted on the prize-money. I said I should not pay him; I had given him his certificate back; I asked him for it again; there was another person with him, who said, No, he shall not give it you again, and snatched it out of his hand, and ran away with it. That man appears to be one Brown, that did belong to the Liverpool. I took the prisoner before my Lord-Mayor: he still said he was that William Crunkton , a quarter-master on board the ship Liverpool. I applied to the books at the Navy-Office, and found William Crunkton was discharged, and sent sick on shore to Plymouth-hospital, and there died, on the 7th of November 1762.

John Oaks . I was second lieutenant on board his Majesty's ship Liverpool; I knew William Crunkton , a quarter-master on board her: the prisoner is not that man; I do not recollect I ever saw him till last February; William Crunkton was sent sick on shore to Plymouth-hospital, in September 1762.

Q. How many quarter-masters were there on board that ship?

Oaks. There were 4 that did duty as such; but whether they were all allowed, I cannot tell: I am certain the prisoner is neither of them.

Richard Welch . I am clerk to the Sick and Hurtoffice; here is the book that came from our agent at Plymouth (he looks into it.) William Crunkton did belong to the Liverpool; he is called able on our book, not quarter-master; he might rise from able to quarter-master, which often is the case.

Q. How is his name spelt in your book?

Welch. It is here spelt Crunkton. He died on the 7th of November, 1762, at Plymouth-hospital.

Elizabeth Gardiner . My brother's name was William Cronction ; he served on board his Majesty's ship the Liverpool, and sent me his will and power to Stamford in Lincolnshire, where I then lived servant: my master's name was Noah Neal , a private gentleman.

Q. What was your brother on board?

E. Gardiner. He was both private and quartermaster.

Q. When did he die?

E. Gardiner. He died on the 7th of November, 1762, in Plymouth-hospital.

Q. to Oaks. Did you ever give a certificate to the prisoner at the bar?

Ralph Clay . In the night between the 3d and 4th of February, I was robbed of about 300 and a half weight of tobacco; it was taken out of a hogshead; I never heard either of the prisoners confess any thing.

John Smither . I was concerned with the 2 prisoners at the bar, in robbing this gentleman's yard; it was in the night; I cannot tell the exact time. I and Braine were on the outside of the gate, and Haines got within side, and he put us about 300 weight of tobacco under the gates. We carried it to Rosemary-lane in bags, and sold it to a tobacconist, named Cosgrove. I was taken up first, in Houndsditch, as I was going to Haines's house, for stealing a quantity of linen; and I made a discovery of this. As soon as I got into Clerkenwell-bridewell, I sent for Mr. Clay and told him of it.

Q. Where did you and the prisoners meet at that time?

Smither. We met at the Hamburgh-arms in East Smithfield, near Tower-hill, the night before we took the tobacco.

Q. What are you?

Smither. I am a carman; so are the 2 prisoners.

Joseph Bareave . I had a warrant from Sir John Fielding to take up the evidence, Smither, for stealing a quantity of linen. He said before Sir John he did steal it: then he confessed this, and was admitted an evidence. I took Cosgrove up, and kept him 4 days in prison; we could make nothing of him, but a great deal of Irish language; he was discharged; he is now out of the way; I have a warrant now from Sir John Fielding to take him up again.

Haines's defence.

I know nothing at all about the affair.

Braine's defence.

I know nothing of what the young man says.

For the prisoners.

William Wood . I keep the Red Lion and Star in Petticoat-lane; I have known Haines 3 years; I never heard any thing amiss of him.

Q. Have you ever seen him in company with Smither?

Wood. I have seen him come to drink a pint of beer with Haines.

William Smith . I have known Haines 10 or 12 years, he has a very honest character.

Q. Did you ever see him in company with Smither?

Smith. No, I never did.

Mary Lee . I keep the Three Compasses in White's-yard; I have known them all three by their using my house drinking together.

Q. What three?

M Lee . The two prisoners and Smither. I have known Haines four or five years, and Braine fourteen or fifteen, I never knew any harm of them.

John Bond . I know them all three, the two prisoners and Smither, I never heard any thing amiss of either of them.

Q. Do you think Smither is as honest as either of the two prisoners are?

Bond. I cannot tell; I have seen them up and down together in business.

Anthony Chawner . I am a haberdasher , and live in Fleet-street . On the 6th of March the prisoner came to my shop to buy something; I was serving a customer: she came to a box of ribbons: my servant, that was on the other side the counter, came and told me he saw her take two pieces of ribbon out; upon that I believe she suspected he had seen her; she took one piece from under her cloak and laid it down. I took her up stairs, my people all knew her, she had been frequently at my shop for 12 months, almost once a week; I said, I suppose you have robbed me many a time: no, said she, I never did but once before. I charged her with taking a piece; she produced it from out of her pocket, there is 11 yards of it. She went on her knees and begged I would not prosecute her, and in the mean time she put another piece of ribbon, which she had from some other person, under a chair; I did not find that till a day or two after, it had not our mark upon it.

Wilson. I am a file-cutter; I never knew her bear any bad character in my life; I took my mother home, and hired the prisoner to be my servant; I used to trust her to go to all my customers, sometimes she has brought me three or four guineas at a time.

Q. How long was she servant to you?

Wilson. She was six or seven years.

Q. Where has she been since she left you? I see she has a child in her arms.

Wilson. Ever since my mother died I have lived with the prisoner.

Q. What as man and wife?

Wilson. Yes.

Q. Why did you not marry her, as her character is so good?

Wilson. It was not in my power then.

Q. Why so?

Wilson. I had a great many debts to pay away on my mother's affair.

Q. Do you think it is better to live in that wicked slate, than to live in a marriage slate?

Wilson. No.

Court. You cannot expect protection from God's providence if you live in such an unlawful manner; this is as much forbid in the word of God as robbery or murder: how can you expect prosperity in living in this way? The best thing you can do is to go and marry her the moment the trial is over. It is very melancholy to see people no way thoughtful in distinguishing virtue from vice; you cannot expect the jury will give credit to one word you say.

Thomas Martin . I am her uncle; I never knew any ill character she had in my life.

Q. Do not you know she lives in this state of fornication now?

Martin. To be sure, I cannot allow it to be right.

Q. How can you, upon your conscience, say a woman is an honest woman, that lives in this manner, contrary to the laws of God and man?

Martin. I never heard her charged with any crime at all before this.

Joseph Jenks , who had known her from a child; Mary Carter , about eight years; Hannah Dudley ten; Mary Mills and Elizabeth Dunckley , between six and seven; and Hannah Warboyn , five or six, gave her a good character.

Major Urnshaw . On Sunday morning last the prisoner was taken with some lead upon his shoulder by the watchman, and by comparing it to the place where some was taken away from the house of Mrs. Capper, the property of Peter Urnshaw , we found it fitted exactly; it was taken from a flat over the kitchen, about 12 feet high.

John Adlin . I am a watchman: I am hired by Mr. Urnshaw to watch his wharf at St. Catherine's . I catched the prisoner last Sunday morning, between one and two o'clock, coming out of a hole through the pales with the lead: I asked him what he was going to do with it; he said he was going to sell it.

Prisoner's defence.

I went into this place; he took hold of me; he found this lead in the yard, and challenged me with it.

Eleanor Sophia Warner . I keep an inn at Old Brentford : two men came to our house on the 12th of March, about seven o'clock, the prisoner was one of them; they called for a pint of brandy hot; the boy carried it into the parlour in the mug; they drank that, and went away. Some time after another came, and asked if two gentlemen had been there: I told him yes, but they were gone; he said they were coming again to spend the evening. He went into the parlour, and

asked me to make him a pint of brandy hot; it was carried into the parlour by the boy in the pint silver mug; I said to the boy, mind that mug in the parlour; he said he would; I was busy in getting the supper in the kitchen for the waggoner, and some gentlemen. I went to the parlour door, it stood a jar; I looked, and there was neither mug nor man. A gentleman lent his horse, and he was overtaken, being the only person they took.

John Field . I am a carpenter: I was charged to aid and assist; I went up to the prisoner and said, how far are you a going; he said, are you the patrole; I said no: then he walked on faster. I saw him take something white from under his coat, and throw it over a camshot wall into the road; I said here is the man, he has thrown the mug away: I called stop thief; we took him: several people went along with me, and we found the mug where I saw him throw it, (produced in court.)

E. Warner. This is my little boy's mug, his grand-father gave it him; here is his name, and the time of his birth, at the bottom of it.

Prisoner's defence.

I went out with a couple of men, little knowing what their design was; happening into this gentlewoman's house, we called for a pint of hot, and then came out; I was never in the house afterwards, nor saw the house since: another person coming to meet us, we came back again, I did not know what his design was; we went into a house opposite, and called for a tankard of beer; the other went out, I did not know where we came out; they took a by-road; one of them said, take this and carry it home, it will not go into my pocket.

Luke Sanderson . I live at Sortery in Huntingdonshire : I lost a grey colt on the 6th of December, out of a little close about half a mile from Sortery, it was seen there the day it was lost.

Q. Describe the colt.

Sanderson. It was a grey gelding, with a bald face, the letter S in pitch on him in four places, a switch tail, and all white legs. Mr. Bolton's man, the Peterborough carner, brought him down from London, I think on the 6th of March.

William Watkins . I live within four miles of Oxford, I keep a little farm and deal in horse: on the 19th or 20th of December I was in Smithfield; the prisoner shewed me a grey colt, a gelding with a bald face, a long tail, and four white legs, come three years old; he saw a black gelding of mine in the George-yard; he said he had got a pretty colt at home, he should be glad to change with me, and asked me where I lay at night; I said at the Pied-Bull at Islington; he agreed to come to me at nine in the morning: when he saw mine out he liked him very well; I agreed to go with him to Hockley in the Hole to see his, he asked me nine guineas for him; there was a man with him who said, you shall go into the house and have a pot of beer and make a bargain; in drinking, he asked two guineas and a half betwixt the horse and colt; a man along with me said, you shall give him a guinea to boot: I said I would, and no more. We were going away; he called to me and said, you shall give me half a guinea more. I said I would not: then it was agreed that I should spend a shilling. We went to Islington for the horse; he said he went down within about four miles of Oundle in Northamptonshire, and bought three or four more colts. I said, I wonder Mr. Pepper you should buy such young things as these to bring to London; he said he did not know what would suit London. After this I changed the grey colt away to one Richard Rand at Newport Pagnel, he lives near Stoney Stratford: after that I was taken up in Oxfordshire, by Robert King and Nightingale, to know how I came by the colt: I said I could find the man that I bought him of; and as we were walking in Fleet-street, we met the prisoner. I said, Mr. Pepper, I find this colt is a stolen one: he said, what have you to do with me: I said it is pity I should lose all my money; said he, you have no demand on me; I said, I hope you will not let me lose the money: he said he bought the colt at Higham Ferrers fair, and that he was very sorry that he, being so very lately in trouble, should be in trouble again: he gave me a guinea and a watch. I went with Mr. King to Mr. Rand, and gave him his money back.

Robert King . I saw the colt in the custody of Mr. Rand, he delivered him to me; I brought him to London from within four miles of Stoney Stratford,

and delivered him to go down with the waggoner to the prosecutor. I was with Mr. Watkins when we met the prisoner; he went and took him by the collar, and said, I have a warrant against you for stealing the colt; said Pepper, what do you want with me; said Watkins, I want satisfaction. The prisoner said, go along with me and I'll give you satisfaction. We went to the prisoner's wife's father's, there he gave him a watch and a guinea. Then he said to me, I suppose you are satisfied with me for what I have done. I said, here is Sir John Fielding 's warrant against you; said he, it is very hard you should take my money and take me too, I'll give you an hundred pounds bail. I said I should take no bail: said he, I can't say I like to go before Sir John, for I have heard he is an ill-natured man; he chose to go before Mr. Welch. I got him into a coach, and ordered the coach to drive to Sir John's; when we came there, he knew Sir John better than I did. Sir John asked Watkins where the colt was; Watkins said he is down in Buckinghamshire, within a little of Stoney Stratford, at one farmer Rand's, at Wolverton, and he knew it to be the same colt. Sir John said, I'll take care of Mr. Pepper, while you go and return again. We went down to Mr. Rand's for the colt, and Mr. Rand allowed it was the same colt he had of Mr. Watkins; Mr. Watkins gave him five guineas back, so we brought the colt to London, and delivered him at the Horseshoe inn, in order to be sent down to the prosecutor.

John Drake . I am hostler at the Horseshoe inn: Mr. Watkins delivered the grey colt to me; he had a bald face, four white legs, and a long tail; he staid there four days, then I delivered him to Mr. Bolton's man, to go to the gentleman that he belonged to.

Prisoner's defence.

I had the colt in a chop at Higham Ferrers, I gave a guinea to boot. Please to ask Mr. Watkins whether there were any brand marks upon him.

Watkins to the question. There were the appearance of the marks on him.

King answered the same.

Prisoner. I paid 6 l. to Mr. Watkins: there was a watch valued 5 l. and a guinea, there were three of them, and that was all their demand: when we were writing the receipt, Watkins said he could not sign it, but he would make his mark.

For the prisoner.

John Cooper . I am a grocer in Charles-street, Grosvenor-square: I have known Mr. Pepper between three and four years.

Q. What is his character?

Cooper. I never heard any otherwise but that he is a very honest just man; he delivered the horse. He came to my house and brought three gentlemen with him, I believe they were horse-dealers, Mr. Watkins was one of them and Mr. King another; there was a great dispute about paying for this grey colt that had been chop'd between them, their demands were 6 l. I was to pay them 6 l. and there was to be no farther demand upon Mr. Pepper; they were all seemingly contented; after they had the money the case was altered; Mr. King said it was not 20 guineas would satisfy him, he pulled out a warrant, and insisted upon Mr. Pepper's going along with him, they went away to Justice Fielding's. I always looked upon Mr. Pepper to be a very honest man; I never heard of any imputation to the contrary before this time.

Q. What no sort of imputation at all?

Cooper. No, none.

Q. Are you sure you never heard any ill as to his character before this?

Cooper. I am sure I never did.

Q. What nothing within this two months?

Cooper. (No answer.)

Q. Was he not tried here last sessions?

Cooper. That is not two months ago: I never heard any thing before that of last sessions besides this.

Q. How did you pay the money?

Cooper. I paid it in a watch which was reckoned at five guineas, and a guinea, and they seemed very well contented with it. Here is the receipt, (producing it.)

It is read to this purport.

Feb. 17, 1766. Receiv'd of Mr. John Cooper the sum of six pounds for a horse, on the account of Mr. Pepper, per + the mark of

William Watkins .

Q. Are you related to the prisoner?

Cooper. I am, he married my daughter. The matter was settled, and they said they would put Mr. Pepper to no farther trouble.

Charles James . I keep a pork-shop in Golden-lane; I have known the prisoner about a year, he bears a very good character as ever a man need to bear.

George Whickerback . I have known him about nine years, I always took him to be a very honest man.

John Hunt . I have known him 11 or 12 years, I always believed him to be a very honest man.

Jonathan Crips . I am a cabinet and clock-case-maker, I have known him five or six years, I always took him to be a very honest man.

Simon Pugh . I am a steel wire-drawer, I have known him eight or nine years; if I was worth a thousand pounds I would trust him with it.

Acquitted .

He was detained to be tried at Huntingdon for stealing a gelding. See him tried for stealing a mare and gelding, No 142. in last Sessions Paper.

Reference Number: t17660409-58

270. (L.) Elizabeth, wife of - Saunders , otherwise Elizabeth Thompson, spinster , was indicted for stealing 23 guineas, 6 half guineas, 4 quarter guineas, and one 36 s. piece, the property of William Peircall , from the person of Elizabeth his wife, privately and without her knowledge , April 4 . *

Elizabeth Peircall . I live at St. Alban's, my husband is named William; I had been at Mrs. Angier's house, at the Hen and Chickens in Houndsditch, where I had received 3 l. 5 s. 6 d. I went from thence about one in the day; going by Still-alley in Houndsditch , the prisoner called after me and said, Madam, have you dropt some thing? I looked back and said, I don't know that I have: she said, you have dropt some gold. I knew I had gold in two papers in my pocket. She said, don't hurry yourself, but look in your pocket, and see what you have dropt: I like a silly woman took my apron up, and pulled out my halfpence and silver, and the paper that I lost, with the gold in it; I said I had lost nothing, and put them in my pocket, though I have both taken and paid money. Said she, the gentleman in the shop took up a little box with a Queen Anne's half crown, a silver thimble, and a four and sixpenny piece of gold. I said it was not mine, and I thank you for calling after me: as I turned myself away to go to the Swan and Two Necks in St. John's-street, she said, O dear, somebody has dawbed your cloak, give me your handkerchief, I'll wipe it off. I said, be so kind as to wipe it off with the corner of my apron, and I'll be obliged to you; a carriage was coming by, she pulled me, and wanted me to come into the alley I (can't say whether it was a cart or a dray) and in the mean time she picked my pocket; for I had not got 20 yards from the place before I missed the paper with the gold in it, that I had just before pulled out; there was 33 l. I could safely swear that, I believe there was more, but I cannot tell till I come home to count up my bills; then I was greatly frighted, and went into a public-house that joins to the alley; I said I had had my pocket picked, and that I was ruined: I was told I might search any body without a constable. I went back to Mrs. Angier's, she sent for a constable; I went into Woolpack-alley to see for the prisoner. When I came back again, I was advised to go to Justice Fielding; I went, he was not at home, then I came back; then a Jew woman, Rachel Levi , said she saw a woman wiping my cloak. I said, do you know her face. She said she did: I said, I'll give you a guinea if you can find her, and swear to her; she found her, and I gave her the guinea. One Garrick, a Jew, took her up the same night; she was brought to Mrs. Angier's house about 8 o'clock; as soon as I saw her I said, that is the woman, I would swear to her. Mr. Garrick put a pair of handcuffs on her, and I saw her searched, and there were 24 l. 5 s. and 9 d. found upon her; I described the pieces of my money before Sir John Fielding , one 36 s. piece, the rest in guineas, half guineas, and quarter guineas.

Sarah Angier . I keep a stay-shop at the Hen and Chickens in Houndsditch; the prosecutrix stitches our stays , she lives at St. Alban's; she came up to receive her quarterly money; she received three guineas and two shillings and six-pence. She left my house that day about a quarter after one in the day; I went down stairs to mind the shop; I had not been there above four minutes before she came again, crying in a very terrible manner, saying, I am ruined! I am ruined! She told me the story she has told now. We went to Justice Fielding's, but he not being at home, we came back again; the constable went to an ale-house in Houndsditch to look for the woman; she was found and brought; the Jew woman said, that was the woman that was wiping Mrs. Peircall's cloak, she being passing by at the time. Mrs. Peircall had offered her a guinea if she could find the woman. Mrs. Piercall said, she could swear she was the very woman. The prisoner had a bundle of cloaths in her hand. After Mr. Garrick had handcuffed her, he searched her pockets, and took out 21 guineas, one half guinea, a 36 s. piece, and 3 five and three-penny pieces; then we called a coach and took her to the Compter; she did not chuse to walk, so was carried in and out of the coach. When she got to the Poultry Compter she called for Mr. Ross, one of the turnkeys, and other people, as though it was her real habitation. The next day we took her before

my Lord Mayor, there we related the same as now. My Lord asked her what she had got to say: she said her business was in selling cloaths, and could not do without large sums of money. She was asked how she came by the money found upon her; she could give no account. When the Jew was searching her, she said she had about 500 l. in Bank notes in her pocket. As we were in the coach going along, she mentioned borrowing the money at the corner of some street; she said she was as innocent as Adam; then the Jew woman said, you are Eve.

Q. Did the prisoner admit she had seen Mrs. Peircall before?

S. Angier. Before my Lord Mayor she said, she had not been in Houndsditch all the day.

Rachel Levi . This day se'nnight I was going to my brother in Woolpack-alley; to cut the way short, I went through Still-alley; the alley is very narrow, there is an iron bar to stop horses from going through. I saw a man go through sideways, I being pretty bulky could not get through by the prisoner; I stood still some time behind her, she was wiping the prosecutrix on her shoulder with her apron: I said, pray let me pass. The prisoner turned herself aside, and said, yes, I ask pardon for detaining you so long; then I past by. About an hour after I went to look for my husband in Houndsditch, they said a woman had lost her money. I went to see what it was, and saw the gentlewoman standing with several people round her. I said, Madam, where did you lose your money? She said at the corner of Still-alley. I said, I was passing by at the same time, I saw a woman wiping your cloak. Pray, said she, can you tell me any thing about this woman. I said, I have seen her pass and repass several times; if I meet her, pray may I have her stopped? She said pray do, and bring her to this gentlewoman's, meaning Mrs. Angier's, and I'll answer for you. I met Markas Garrick and told him of it; he happened to meet with her, and I was called to see her; I am certain the prisoner is the same woman that I saw wiping the cloak, but did not see her take any thing.

Q. What is the prisoner?

R. Levi. I have heard say she buys and sells old cloaths .

Markas Garrick. On Friday last I came through Houndsditch about 5 in the afternoon; I met an acquaintance of mine, who told me a woman was robbed of 30 odd guineas: the prisoner was described to me as the person that robbed her. After that, going through Woolpack-alley, I met the prisoner; I asked her if she was not in Houndsditch that day; she said no: I said, a woman had been robbed of some money, and she was looked upon as the person that robbed her. She said she knew nothing of it. I took her to Mrs. Angier's, the prosecutrix said that was the very woman that wiped her cloak. I searched the prisoner, and took out of her pocket 17 guineas, 7 half guineas, 3 five and threepenny pieces, a 36 s. piece, and 3 s. 6 d. in silver. I brought her to the Poultry Compter, and the next morning before my Lord Mayor, and he committed her. The money was all loose in her pocket; I delivered it to Mr. Ford in this place yesterday.

Mr. Ford produced the money, and deposed it was the same identical money be received of the last evidence.

S. Angier. Here is a piece of whity brown paper which was found upon my counter after the prisoner was searched, (producing it.)

Prosecutrix. I think this is the same paper that my money was in when it was taken from me.

S. Angier. Mr. Garrick told us, the prisoner had offered him five guineas when he took her up if he would let her go.

Q. to Garrick. Do you remember her offering you any money?

Garrick. I do not remember it.

Prosecutrix. Mr. Garrick told me the same as Mrs. Angier has mentioned, and that he said he would not touch it if she had offered him the whole.

Prisoner's defence.

Mr. Garrick challenged me with this thing: I asked him what he meant by it; he said, come with me over the way; I said, with all my heart: he said, have you any money about you; I said I have; he took me to the gentlewoman's house and handcuffed me; he asked me where I had the money; I said, don't you know me; he said, yes, I do; he put me in a coach and drove me to the Compter, it is my own money. Here is a baker, a stranger to me, sent to me; I believe he knows more about it than any body here.

For the prisoner.

Thomas Judd . I am a journeyman baker, and live in Petticoat-lane; I never saw the prisoner before with my eyes to my knowledge. I was coming down Houndsditch last Friday, and at Mrs. Angier's shop I saw a great congregation of people; I stepped in, and heard the gentlewoman say she was not certain whether she put her money in her pocket, or whether she put it on one side.

S. Angier. I did not see him there; there was a great mob about the door.

Q. to prosecutrix. Did you say as this man has related?

Prosecutrix. No, I never said such a word; for I am certain and sure I put my money in my pocket.

Q. to S. Angier. Did you hear Mrs. Piercall say such words as has been related?

S. Angier. I asked her in particular if she was sure she put it in her pocket, and she said yes.

Q. If she had said otherwise should you have heard her?

S. Angier. I think I should.

Prosecutrix. I am very certain I put it in my pocket, and put my handkerchief upon it.

Joshua Pritchard . I am a hawker of fish: I have known the prisoner 12 or 14 years, I know her to be a very honest hard working body: she deals in old cloaths; I have known her to have 20, 30, or 40 l. worth of goods at a time, she has bought of pawnbrokers; I have lent her 10 or 20 s. at a time.

Thomas Taylor . I am a stay-maker; I have known the prisoner between 6 and 7 years; I know nothing ill of her, she always behaved honestly by me; I have made stays for her, and bought linen of her.

Q. Where does she live?

Taylor. I do not know.

Priscilla Millson . I have known her 7 or 8 years; she deals in Rag-fair, so do I; I never knew no harm by her.

Q. Does she trade largely?

Millson. I believe she may buy 20 or 30 l. worth of goods at a time.

John Carey . I have known her about 6 or 7 years; I never knew any thing amiss of her till now. She deals in old cloaths; I have lent her many a pound to buy large lots, by 3 or 4 guineas at a time.

Q. Did you ever know her to have 20 l. by her at a time?

Carey. No.

Q. Where do you live?

Carey. I am a publican, I keep the Ship in Gravel-lane, Houndsditch.

Frances Hawley . I have known her 12 or 13 years; she deals in old cloaths; I quilt; I have bought curtains and old stuff of her, I never saw no harm by her; I have seen her with great lots of goods at a time, I do not know her substance.

For the prosecution.

Elizabeth Killingworth . I have known the prisoner 7 or 8 years; upon my oath she is every thing that is bad, I see her almost every day.

Q. Is she in a way of dealing so as to have 20 or 30 l. by her at a time?

Killingworth. Not honestly; I never saw her deal in old cloaths, and I live in the Minories, where such dealers are to be met with.

Q. Where does she live?

Killingworth. I do not know, she is a very dangerous woman.

Samuel Oakley . I keep the Red Cross in the Minories; I have known her from about last February was twelvemonth, her character is infamous throughout the neighbourhood; as to her dealing in cloaths, I know almost every one that does, I never saw her with a pennyworth of goods about her; I never knew her to deal in cloaths in my life; I keep a pawnbroker's shop, and deal with people in that business; she never bought any of me, or any body else as I know of.

Q. What business does she follow?

Oakley. I believe the same business as she is now trying for.

Q. Where does she live?

Oakley. Sometimes at Black-friars, sometimes about Petticoat-lane, we cannot find her any where for a month together.

Guilty of stealing, but not privately from the person . T ,

Reference Number: t17660409-59

271. (L.) William Harris was indicted, for that he, together with John Dyal , not taken, on the King's highway, on William Rudhall did make an assault, putting him in corporal fear and danger of his life, and taking from his person one silver watch, value 3 l. and one half guinea, the property of the said William, against his will , March 1 . ++

William Rudhall . I am a carpenter : I was going to the pay-table at New-street-hill, on the 1st of March; about 11 at night; I was robbed in Castle yard, in Holborn , by three men; they did not speak to me at all, they only shoved me about, then they knocked me down; one said, help him up; and instead of that I was held down, while one of them took my watch from my fob and half a guinea from my pocket. I said, gentlemen, can't you let me alone; I can't say but I swore at them. I cannot pretend to swear to any one of them.

John Surry. I am a labouring man; I have known the prisoner about a quarter of a year; he and I were drinking in a public-house, and John Dyal came in; he wanted to go out with us; we were going out, and took him along with us. The first thing we got was a shoulder of veal, with the nuckle cut off; we had it dressed; then we went and picked a man's pocket of a handkerchief, where people were quarrelling; then we turned down a court, and met the prosecutor; he was coming towards Holborn; he fell down; we ran to assist him to pick him up; he made a mumbling, as if he had lost something; I looked, and saw nothing upon the ground; then Harris came up, and said, He has got a watch. Then I said, We will have it. Dyal was not come from him; we went back; the prosecutor fell down again; I did not see any body knock him down; I went to help lift him up, and fell over him, and in the mean time Harris took his watch. Then we went, and left him upon the ground; I know nothing of the half-guinea; if they took it, they never told me of it: then we went for Turnmill-street, and Dyal took a breast of mutton. On the Monday morning I got a watchmaker's apprentice to go and pawn the watch, which he did by Goswell-street bars: Harris and I staid at a public-house the while.

Q. Was the prosecutor in liquor at the time the watch was taken?

Surry. He was very much in liquor.

Prisoner. What the evidence says is very just and true; I can say no more; I took the watch from off the ground.

John Richardson . Surry brought the watch to me, to carry to pawn; the prisoner was by at the time; this was on Monday morning, the 3d of March; I carried it to Mr. West, a pawnbroker, and got 1 l. 4 s. upon it: I never knew Harris before; I did know Surry.

Samuel West . I am a pawnbroker; this watch I took in of Richardson, on the 3d of March, about 8 in the morning (produced, and deposed to by the No 398;) I have the same number in my pocket-book, which I wrote before (produced.)

Joseph Rebale . The evidence and Harris were taken in my house together.

Prisoner's defence.

I am in the watch way; I leave it to the mercy of the court.

Guilty of stealing the watch . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-60

272. (M.) James Slack was indicted for stealing a bay mare, value 3 l. the property of William Trappit , December 12 . *

William Trappit . I lost a bay mare out of my field, near Limehouse church , about the 12th of December; I heard she was at Coventry; I went there, and found her: I had her again, by order of Mr. Alderman Hewitt.

John Hewitt , Esq; I am one of the Aldermen of Coventry; the prisoner was apprehended by a constable sent out by me, I having had intelligence that morning that Mr. Digby, near Merriton, had been stopped by a highwayman; the prisoner was brought before me: he made this confession before me, voluntarily and freely as any confession was ever made, without any kind of compulsion. (It was read in court, dated the 26th of December;) part of the contents as follows:

"That he is brother to Robert Slack , of Whitechapel,

"London: that he went to a field facing

"Bancroft's-hospital, and took a bay mare, which

"Robert rode on to Birmingham; and his brother

"went to a field near Limehouse church,

"and took another bay mare, on which he rode

"to Birmingham: that they together stopped a

"man on the road, by Mims-wash, about 7 at

"night, and presented a pistol to him; but a

"bridle breaking, prevented the robbing him:

"that they met an elderly gentleman upon a poney,

"and presented a pistol to him; the gentleman's

"horse giving way, rode off to Coventry:

"that both the mares had switch tails, but were

"cut off by his brother Robert: and that they

"went into a closet of their father's, and took

"several promissary notes relating to his father,

"and a pistol, which was sent to Birmingham,

"directed for him till called for: that he went

"into a field with one Stedman, who with a

"razor cut the teats of several cows off, belonging

"to a milkman."

Signed James Slack .

John Hawthorn . I am a constable at Coventry; I was sent after the prisoner; and I took him at a place called Cuttle-mill, on the London road, on this side Tossiter; the key of the stable was in the prisoner's pocket; he took it out, and unlocked the door; there was the mare that this gentleman has swore to.

Roger Puselrod . I went to assist the constable, and was with him when the prisoner was taken; he had the key of the stable in his pocket; he unlocked the door, and there was the mare; I showed the mare to the prosecutor.

Prosecutor. I think this evidence is the man that delivered her to me.

On December the 20th, I and my brother bought these 2 mares of a man that said he came from Brentwood; we agreed to give him 8 l. f or one, and 6 l. for the other: we went to Birmingham, to see an acquaintance, and got there December 23; then we set off to come to London again: I went on to Cuttle-mill, thinking my brother would come to me; there came in 6 or 7 men, and put a pair of hand-cuffs on me, and brought me to Coventry; and all the way stopped at all the alehouses, and made me fuddled, and wanted me to confess: they said, if I would confess that I was the man that stopped 'squire Digby, I should have my hand-cuffs taken off. They took me before Alderman Hewitt; he saw I was very much in liquor; he showed me a piece of paper, and said it was what my brother had said; he ordered me a pot of beer; they kept me there all the afternoon; they asked me to confess, and said the Alderman would let me free by confessing; so I being much in liquor, confessed the first thing that came into my head; the Alderman wrote it down on a piece of paper, and I signed it, in order to get my liberty. I have got a receipt here of the man's that I paid for the mares: I am a milkman by trade.

He called Nathan Kelley and Thomas Whitchurch , 2 milkmen, and Mary Tolley , who had known him from a child, who said his character was very good till lately.

Joseph Wilmot . I live at Mile-end; I lost a bay mare out of a field opposite Bancroft's alms-houses, in the parish of Stepney : there was an account in the news-papers, that Mr. Alderman Hewitt had committed 2 men who rode 2 bay mares; I wrote to a gentleman to describe them; and, by the description, I found one to be mine: I went down to Coventry, and found her in the possession of Edward Tune , and swore to her as my property before the Alderman, and she was delivered to me.

Edward Tune . I live at Coventry. On the 24th of December Mr. Alderman Hewitt sent for me, and told me a man at William King 's was suspected to have a stolen mare; I went there, and seized the prisoner at the bar; the mare was at the shop-door. William King keeps a public-house, and is a blacksmith. The prisoner was offering her to sale; Mr. Wilmot came to me, I showed him that mare; he claimed her as his property, and she was delivered to him.

Mr. Alderman Hewitt. King came to me, and said there was a person offering a mare to sell, which he thought was worth 20 l. for 5 guineas, and he thought he did not come honestly by her. I desired the man might be brought before me. He was brought; it was the prisoner; I examined him how he came by the mare. He said he bought her in Smithfield. I ordered him to be searched: they found upon him a loaded pistol and a pocket-book, containing some notes; upon which I committed him that night upon suspicion, for farther examination. The next morning an account was brought me of Mr. Digby's being stopped; and the person that stopped him being described, gave me some reason to think this was the man. I sent for a constable, in order that he should be brought again for examination. The goaler himself came to me, and said the prisoner desired to be brought to me again, that he had something to say. He was brought; I examined him; he asked me some questions, to know, if he should make any discovery of his accomplices, whether he could have favour showed him. I told him, with respect to that, I could say nothing to it; if he had any thing to say, I was ready to take an account of it: but what use could be made of it I could not tell.

Q. Was he sober?

Mr. Hewitt. He was perfectly sober; he told me his brother was at Cuttle-mill.

Q. Did you give him any hopes at all of being made an evidence?

Mr. Hewitt. At that time I did not. He was brought before me again: then I went upon a fresh examination; he then charged one Stedman as being concerned with him in cutting off the teats of cows. I sent this information to Sir John Fielding , which he made against Stedman and others; and I had word again that they were taken and examined, but were certainly innocent.

Q. Would he have made that confession if he had no expectation of favour?

Mr. Hewitt. To that I cannot answer.

Prisoner's defence.

I used to buy and sell horses. On Friday the 20th of December, my brother and I bought these 2 mares of a country-like man; he said he came from Brentwood; we gave him 6 l. for one,

and 3 l. for the other: I have bought many horses in Smithfield-market. After I bought him, I went home to my father's house, and laid the receipts by, and could not tell Mr. Alderman Hewitt what I had done with them; I have had them brought to me; they are here: I never was in my father's house after the day we bought the mares.

Guilty . Death .

There was another indictment against the 2 brothers, for stealing a promissory note, value 14 l. 10 s. the property of their father.

Reference Number: t17660409-62

274. (M.) James Muffin was indicted for stealing a silver watch, value 3 l. 1 crystal stone stock-buckle, set in silver, 1 crystal stone knee-buckle, set in silver, the property of Christian Dan. Henricks , in his dwelling-house , March 21 . ++

The prisoner was not taken when Reding and the others were tried. See No 242, in the First Part. There was no evidence to the fact but Jones the accomplice; he was not examined.

Acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-63

275. (M.) Jane Froud , spinster , was indicted for stealing 8 table-cloths, value 4 s. 6 pillow-bears, 14 napkins, and 52 l. 10 s in money numbered, the property of John Creighton , in the dwelling-house of the said John , March 11 . *

Eleanor Creighton . I am wife to Capt . John Creighton , in Burr-street, St. Catherine's ; the prisoner was my servant . About 5 weeks ago, I missed 8 guineas out of my bureau in my chamber, and the linen mentioned out of a great chest; I always had the key of the room in my pocket. I told the prisoner of it; she said, how could I suspect her, when I always had the key. I said the money and things were gone, and no body goes there but she and I. After breakfast she came running up to me (this was about the 12th of March) she went down on her knees, and said, Madam, if you'll promise to forgive me, I'll confess; saying, I stole the linen, and sold it to a Jew. I said, Have you any body concerned with you? She said, Yes, madam; I'll tell you, if you'll promise not to hurt them. Then she said she burnt my bank-note I lost some time ago. I said, What made you burn it? She answered, the d - l appeared to her over her shoulder. She confessed to the taking all my things mentioned in the indictment, but owned to taking but 50 guineas; and that she opened my bureau with false keys, and had thrown the keys down under some lighters, at the end of the street. I asked her why she did so; she said the d - l appeared to her; she said she would send for the man where she bought the keys; he was sent for: she said the same before him: I never found none of my things again.

Q. How long had she lived with you?

Mrs. Creighton. She lived with me about 19 months; she came came to me from Sherrard-street, Golden-square.

Elizabeth Penwell . I heard the prisoner confess the taking the things, and 50 l. in money, and a bank-note: this I heard her confess both at the prosecutor's house, and before the Justice: she said she took the linen out round her waist, and that she got at them with false keys.

Mr. Welford. I heard the prisoner confess, at the prosecutor's house, she took a bank-note, and burnt it; and also that she took the linen; and that she had tossed the key under some lighter at the end of the street, into the river.

John Billington . I am clerk to Justice Scott; here is the prisoner's confession, which she made before Justice Scott; she wrote her name to it; and here is the Justice's name to it: she did it voluntarily, without any threats or promises: she said, as her mistress had been so good to her, she would make her confession.

(It was read in court, dated March 15; the contents to this purport:)

"That she, within the space of 20 months of

"her living with Captain John Creighton , stole

"from her said master 1 note, called a bank-note,

"for 50 l. No 36, out of a cabinet; some pillow-bears,

"and other things, which she sold to a

"Jew near the Minories, but does not know his

"name: that she stole a sum of money, to the

"amount of 50 guineas, or thereabouts, which

"she took out of her master's cabinet, which she

"opened with a key she bought for that purpose:

"and the rest of the things out of a chest: that

"the bunch of keys she bought for that purpose,

"she threw into the river Thames, between 2

"lighters."

Signed Jane Froud .

James Kellow . I heard her confess to the stealing the linen, but the quantity I do not know; and that she stole money, but I do not know the sum: she said she got 3 keys to open the drawers when she wanted money, but she had thrown them away.

Prisoner's defence.

I have nothing to say for myself; I throw myself on your Lordship's mercy.

276. (M.) John Bevan was indicted for that he, on the 15th of January , being in the dwelling-house of Joseph Lewis , did steal 3 stone buttons set in silver, a gold ring, a silver breast-buckle, and 5 l. in money; and that he, about the hour of 4 in the night, did burglariously break the said dwelling-house, in order to get out of the same . ++

Joseph Lewis . I keep the Golden Lion, a public-house in Clare-market ; John Bevan was my servant ; he had been but 8 days in my house, at 4 l. 10 s. a year: between the 14th and 15th of January, he went to bed about half an hour after 11 o'clock; I went to bed about half an hour after 12; I locked up my door, as I always do, the last thing; and in the morning I found my street-door about half a foot open. I went into the bar, and found my till broke to pieces; I do not know justly what money I had in it; I believe there was more than laid in the indictment; all was gone except 10 or a dozen shillings in half-pence.

Q. Can you be certain to any sum?

Lewis. I am sure I lost between 4 and 6 l. I found the window broke that goes into the bar. I went up stairs, and found the prisoner was gone; I advertised him: he was brought to me afterwards, I think about 5 weeks ago: he owned to the robbery directly. I asked him how he could rob me, who had been kind to him. He said, never master behaved better, he never lived so well in his life: he said, after he had done the robbery, he sat out that morning for Bath, and was there almost 3 weeks; and when he had spent all the money, he came up to town again. I asked him how he got the till out; he said he wrenched that open with a lathing-hammer (which I had in my house) and took the beads off the sash-window to get in; he said he was sorry for what he had done. We took him before Sir John Fielding ; Sir John asked him what he had done with the money; he said he had spent it: then he was asked what he had done with the other things; he said, some he lost, and some he spent.

Q. How was your outward door fastened?

Lewis. That was fastened with 2 bolts and a spring-lock.

Prisoner's defence.

I heard over-night that Bristol-fair was the next week, and I got up and left the door open, and went away directly; I did not commit the robbery; I was but 15 years of age last July.

For the prisoner.

William Haythorn . I am a fishing-rod maker; I have known the lad, I believe, 7 years; I always used to look upon him to be very honest, and of good behaviour.

Prosecutor. The prisoner was as pretty behaved a lad as ever came into a house.

Guilty . Death . Recommended.

Reference Number: t17660409-65

277. (M.) Mary Williams , spinster , was indicted for stealing a pair of silver shoe-buckles, value 12 s. a pair of woman's silk shoes, value 2 s. 6 guineas, and 2 half-guineas, the property of James Passingham , in the dwelling-house of the said James . April 9 . ++

James Passingham . I live at a place called Cranford, in the parish of Hesson ; the prisoner did live with me in America; she left me, and came home with a gentleman at Chelsea, and lived there some time; she was destitute, and came to our house a little after Christmas: we took her in.

Q. When did you come to England?

Passingham. I came home next July will be 6 years. The prisoner complained she had pawned all her cloaths, and was like to lose them; I had but 4 guineas in the house; I let her have 40 shillings of it; she went and fetched some few things out; I had agreed to go abroad again, and take her along with me.

Q. Have you a wife?

Passingham. I have; she washed for several people, most of the gentlemen belonging to the navy; and the prisoner was a weekly servant there, and washed for my wife; we lived at Hallifax. I sold several of my things, and let the prisoner have 3 l. more, to go and fetch the rest of her things: she went, and I heard no more of her till the Sunday morning; then I had 2 letters; I could make neither head nor tail of them, only her name and Wood-street Compter. I think the Monday after she came again, and said she had been arrested, and put in goal; she staid at my house; I was at work in Admiral Holbourn's garden, and when I came home she was gone. When she came to us in America, she came big with child; that child I have brought up and kept ever since: she said her husband was drowned. I asked that girl where the prisoner was; she said she was gone to the doctor's for my wife, who was ill: my wife said she had not seen her all the day. I wanted something out of the chest; my wife went to give me the key out of her pocket, under her head; we could not find it: I went down stairs, and found the key lying under the prisoner's old gown; I went to the chest, and missed 6 guineas and 2 half-guineas; I went to the Compter, there was the prisoner: she was searched, and my wife's silver shoe buckles and silk shoes were found upon her, and 3 s. 6 d. in money. She took away every penny I had in the world, but 2 or 3 shillings.

William Reynolds . I was sent for last Thursday morning to take charge of the prisoner, for stealing 7 guineas from the prosecutor. I asked her what she had done with the money; she said she had made away with some, in getting her things out of pawn, and that she had the rest in a leather bag when she came to the Compter, but did not know what was become of it. I searched her, and found 3 s. 6 d. upon her; she owned the shoes did belong to the prosecutor's wife: and when the women searched her, and the buckles were found, she said they belonged to the prosecutor's wife also: when she was before the Alderman, she said the things and money too were the prosecutor's property.

Prisoner's defence.

I leave it to the gentlemen of the jury; I was in liquor when I did the fact; I have earned the prosecutor many a fair pound.

Guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-66

278. Mary Bolous , spinster , was indicted for stealing an apron, a cloth cloak, a silk bonnet, and 9 s. 3 d. in money numbered, the property of Isaac Robinson , in his dwelling-house; and that she, being in the same on the 24th of February , about the hour of 3 in the night did burglariously break the dwelling-house, in order to get out of the same .

Isaac Robinson was called, and did not appear; his recognizance was ordered to be estreated. Acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-67

280. (M.) John Stevens was indicted on the coroner's inquest, for the wilful murder of John Arthur , March 31 . *

The witnesses were examined apart.

William More . I was a prisoner in Tothil-fields-bridewell, for asking charity in the street; John Arthur , the deceased, was a prisoner there before I was: he was about 16 years of age. I was there 28 days; he was hearty when I first went in; he was committed, as I heard, for an impostor: he could speak but very few words, and was what might be called an ideot . The people once were playing the rogue with him, he made a great noise, and awaked Mr. Stevens's child; Mr. Stevens beat him wherever he could, over head, back, belly, and every where; this was about 3 weeks before he died; he was whipped with a cat-o'nine-tails about 9 nine days before he died, by Mr. Stevens, for befouling himself; he used to do it as he sat or lay. We stripped him naked, and washed him at the pump; then he was locked up in a cold ward for 3 hours, quite naked, because his cloaths were all wet, not fit to be put on; when the sun shone I let him out, and he sat down on the threshold, and was brought soon to be right. The night before he died, the prisoner beat him with a bunch of keys: he was taken sick about 3 days before he died.

Q. Was he really dumb?

More. We could get nothing out of him; he could say, Tottey Mom, Tottey Mom Wansey, that was all: if any body gave him a piece of bread, he would sing and dance for an hour together.

Q. When did he die?

More. He died last Monday night was se'nnight; I was with him; he lay on his face and died; he eat his allowance on the Friday before, and almost his allowance on the Saturday. He was beat with a bull's pizzle once, about a fortnight before he died, by the prisoner; he used to befoul himself so, that we had no rest in the ward; every body wondered how we could live there, the ward was in such a condition.

Cross examination.

Q. How were his legs when he came first in?

More. His legs were marked with a little red by sitting by the fire; but that was not done in Bridewell; there was not much fire to sit by. The prisoner told us all he had been to Sir John Fielding , to get him discharged, and he would not discharge him.

Q. Is there not a place to ease yourselves in?

More. When we are locked up we go to a tub, o n purpose for that use: but, at other times, we go to a place in the yard.

Q. Did you reckon he had not understanding enough to know how to go to the necessary-house?

More. No, he had not understanding enough; he would eat and drink 3 or 4 men's allowances; and he would sit 5 hours together, if no body molested him.

Q. If you bid him get up and fetch a thing, would he go and fetch it?

More. Yes, he would at once, a pot or mug; and he would refuse it, if he knew it was not for him.

Q. Whether, if they bid him fetch a thing that was not to eat, would he go and fetch it?

More. He would as soon fetch a thing not to eat, as he would a thing to eat; he would do any thing they bid him, good or bad.

Q. Do you know any particular advantage that could arise to Mr. Stevens, from any cruelty to the deceased?

More. No.

Q. Was you ever ill used by the goaler?

More. No, I never was in my life.

Q. Did he misuse the prisoners in general?

More. No, I never saw that he did.

John Sutherland . I was committed to Tothil-fields-bridewell for begging; I never saw the prisoner strike the deceased, or use him worse than the rest of the prisoners, while I was there; the prisoner was foolish; the deceased had his allowance the same as the rest had; there was a tub in the place to do our occasions in, but the deceased had not sense to make use of it. We desired Mr. Stevens to take him out of the place, but he would not; he was very bad on a Sunday night, and on the Monday night he died.

Q. What was the cause of his death?

Sutherland. That I cannot tell; he had a violent purging upon him, and the weather was very cold.

Q. How long did you know the deceased there?

Sutherland. I was there about a week before he died.

Cross examination.

Q. Was the prisoner able to walk about when you first came in?

Sutherland. He was able to eat his allowance.

Q. Supposing you was to bid him fetch a thing, would he do it?

Sutherland. He would.

Q. Then how can you call him a natural fool?

Sutherland. I judged so by his actions.

Q. Did you take him to be such a fool, as not to know how to discharge nature?

Sutherland. It seemed so to me, because we had a tub to go to, and he would not use it.

Q. Did you look upon him to be such a fool, as not to know where to go on that account?

Sutherland. I will not say that.

Godfrey Synod . I was a prisoner in Tothil-fields-bridewell; when I came in the prisoner had nothing but a shirt on, neither shoes or other cloathing; I saw the prisoner strike the deceased with a bunch of keys on the Sunday night, the day before he died; it was only one blow upon the back. I begged of the prisoner to put me into another ward, because the deceased smelt so; he used to foul himself; the prisoner said, he wished he was dead and gone; when he sat in the kitchen, his ordure would run from him: he once flung a bone over the wall, into the garden, and the prisoner beat him for everlasting.

Darby Matthews. I am going on 15 years of age: the deceased was brought into Bridewell about 10 at night, about 7 weeks ago; he grew very dry in the night, and called out for a pot of water, and made a noise; the prisoner opened the chamber-window, and said, You rascal, hold your tongue; he was still a little while, then he called out again; then Mr. Stevens said he thought the fellow was mad; he went and locked him into the Black-hole; then the deceased began to make a great noise: Mr. Stevens brought a chain about 3 yards long, and put a bezel round the deceased's leg, and put a pair of hand-cuffs on, and put the chain to his leg; he found he could reach to the side, then he put the chain shorter; but then the deceased halloo'd out, Water: then Mr. Stevens sent down a bull's pizzle, to have him licked by James Cole , and Cole would not lick him. Then the other keeper begged he might be let out; No, said Mr. Stevens, I will not let him out, my wife shall not be frighted; but, with great persuasion, he let him out. The deceased was so ignorant he used to lie in his own dung, and his breeches all dirty; the rest of the prisoners washed him naked, and they washed his cloaths for him; after that, I saw Mr. Stevens beat him with a cat-o'nine-tails, but there were but 6 tails upon it. I saw Mr. Stevens strike him with a bunch of keys, one blow over his back, the day before he died; the deceased cried out, O dear.

Q. What was you committed for?

Matthews. They said it was for stealing a pair of old shoes; but there was no bill found against me, and I am now discharged.

James Cole . I am a seaman; I was in Bridewell for a bastard child; I have been there almost 6 months; the deceased was brave and hearty when he came in: he used to run about the place, and make a great noise like a mad man; he could speak but a few words; Mr. Stevens's wife being big with child, he locked him up in the Blackhole, where he remained 2 days and 2 nights; that is a place they put those in who do not behave well: when he came out he was noisy again; and Mr. Stevens ordered a bezel to be put on his leg, and a small chain put through it, about a foot in length, and he was chained in the Black-hole; when he came out, he was about the yard all day; he had a great purging on him; having neither shoes, nor stockings, or breeches

on, his legs were very sore; when he first came into the place, his right leg had one sore on the shin, and the other upon the knee; the other leg seemed to be burnt by setting by the fire, they were both swelled.

Q. Was the bezel upon the wound?

Cole. No, it was below the wound. After the last confinement he ran about the yard and made a great noise: Mr. Stevens came out and said, you rascal, get down into the ward, or I'll lick you; you frighten my wife. She was big with child. He did not offer to move; Mr. Stevens fetched a bull's pizzle, but I went away and did not see him strike him. He had a cat with six tails, with two knots on each; I once saw him strike him with that, but do not recollect the day. He was very ignorant; he had a violent purging came upon him; on the Sunday he could not eat his allowance; he died the next day as he lay on his face.

William Huck . I rent the tap of the prisoner, I entered on it on Michaelmas last. When the deceased was brought in, he laughed and seemed to be a silly fellow, but seemed healthy; within two or three days after I saw his legs seemed as if he had been sitting by some fire, they looked read and swelled.

Q. Did you see the prisoner use him ill?

Huck. I saw him beat him with a bull's pizzle about four or five strokes, about three weeks before he died.

Q. What was that for?

Huck. I do not know for what; it was about his back and shoulders. I saw him strike him with the keys the day before he died, for not going fast enough; the deceased cried out as if he was hurt. That is all I ever saw.

Mr. Archibald Harris . I am a surgeon: I was sent for to view the deceased's body in Bridewell, I found the surgeon of the Westminster hospital there at the request of the prisoner; we found a mortification on the deceased from his toe to his hip, on the left leg, and upon various parts of both legs. I saw nothing of any marks of violence upon the body, neither back nor belly. I inspected the legs to see if there were any marks of irons, which we understood had been put on him; I found no such marks at all; there was no appearance of any injury of that kind.

Q. Could the iron be the cause of the mortification?

Harris. No; we enquired to know how this mortification arose; we found he was an unruly fellow; they had put breeches on him, and he pulled them off. We looked upon it as he had these sores on his legs before he came in; it was the severity of the weather that brought on the mortification; there was a great inflammation.

Q. What do you think was the occasion of his death?

Harris. Upon my oath I think he died a natural death, so far as it was owing to a mortification.

Mr. Humphrys. I examined the deceased's body. I never in all my life saw a body so free from marks of violence in my life; the mortification, no doubt, was the occasion of his death; the blows by no means could not cause it, nor the cat o'nine-tails, nor the putting the iron on. I apprehend the cold weather brought on the mortification.

Prisoner's defence.

I never injured the deceased in the least, I should be very unhappy in myself if I was conscious that I did.

Acquitted .

Reference Number: t17660409-68

281. (L.) William Grayham was indicted for that he, knowingly and designedly, by false pretences, did obtain from Stephen Robinson , 3 l. in money, with intent to cheat and defraud him of the same , September 12 . ++

Stephen Robinson . I am an agent for the Navy ; I transact for officers. The prisoner brought a letter to me on the 12th of September; after I read it, I asked him if he brought it from Mr. Lackey; he said he did, and that Mr. Lackey desired his compliments to me; I asked him if he was to have some money of me; he said 3 l. I immediately paid him the money, and took this receipt on the account of Mr. Lackey.

John Lawrence . I was told there was a letter sent to Mr. Robinson in Mr. Lackey's name, Mr. Lackey is my master; (the letter put into his hand) this is not Mr. Lackey's hand-writing, I have seen him write often. I have seen the prisoner several times at my master's house.

The letter read.

The contents desiring Mr. Robinson to let the prisoner have 3 l. to carry him to his ship, signed by Captain Lackey .

Prisoner's defence.

I had this letter at Mr. Lackey's house to carry to Mr. Robinson for the money.

Court. Mr. Lackey is in court, if you have a mind to call him as a witness you may.

Prisoner. No, I do not desire it.

Guilty . T .

Reference Number: t17660409-69

282. (L.) John Thomas was indicted for receiving a pewter pint pot, the property of James

Smith ; a pewter half pint, the property of Robert Hall ; a pewter quart pot, a pint pot, and a half pint, the property of John Woodfield , well knowing the same to have been stolen, by a person or persons unknown , January 30 . ++

John Woodfield . On the 30th of January Mr. Thorp, that did live at the Queen's Head in the Old-Bailey, sent for me; he had a woman in custody; Mr. Wood and the constable searched the prisoner's lodging. I can only swear to my property, which were found in the prisoner's apartment, a quart, a pint, and a half pint pewter pot.

John Wood . I searched the prisoner's lodging, and found concealed in a hole in the cieling, betwixt the joists, seven pewter pots, with some tin materials made use of to melt pewter in, (produced in court.) There were a quart pot of Mr. Greenfield's, one of John Thorp 's, and others of other peoples.

Prisoner's defence.

I am innocent, I know nothing of the affair.

He called Mary English , Elizabeth Carey , and Mary Thomas , his sister, who gave him a good character.

Guilty . T .

See No 197, in last paper.

Reference Number: t17660409-70

283. Kinsey Tyrer was indicted, for that he, knowingly and designedly, by false pretences, did obtain from Jonathan Granger 30 l. with intention to cheat and defraud him thereof .

The indictment not being laid right, he was acquitted without going into the evidence .

Reference Number: o17660409-1

John Wilson , capitally convicted in January sessions, Robert Bryer , William Barlow , and John Jewester , capitally convicted in February sessions, were executed on Wednesday the 19th of March.

Reference Number: s17660409-1

The trials being ended, the Court proceeded to give judgement as follows: